# XXI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Mina Loy.

## What happens

A brief, imagistic poem that evokes a store of oppressive nights and a solitary, sun-like noon, suggesting themes of accumulation, isolation, and inner intensity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alienation and Belonging

The imagery of storing nights and the solitaire core of the sun reflects a state of isolation and inner exile.

## Key lines

> I store up nights against you Heavy with shut-flower’s nightmares

I accumulate dark, oppressive nights filled with the nightmares of closed flowers, as a defense or burden against you.

_Suggests a hoarding of negative experiences or a protective barrier built from suffering._

> Stack noons Curled to the solitaire Core of the Sun

Pile up noontimes, curled inward toward the solitary, intense center of the sun.

_Evokes a turning inward, a focus on a singular, burning core of existence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_17_se/chapters/xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_17_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_17_se/chapters