Approaching Ice

Bradfield uses structure and language to create a powerful collection of poems in Approaching Ice. Her narrative about Antarctic expeditions is structured in a way that takes the reader on an his or her own expedition. Bradfield uses specific language to relate the 21st century to the expeditions of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Contrary to other 21st century poets, Bradfield uses language that refers to the 21st century. In "On the Longing of Early Explorers," Bradfield relates the 21st century to the early explorers.

"Before satellites eyed the earth's whole surface

through the peephole of orbit...

They'd say in quaint accents and obscure

sentence structures-if only the unsullied could be discovered..."

This poem discusses how the planet has been used, discovered and ravaged. Bradfield refers to this concept several times in her poems. She uses the structure of her poems to highlight specific language that illustrates her point. She uses enjambment to give power to specific words or ideas. This concept is illustrated clearly in the poem, "Song of the Ice Breaker Prow." Bradfield places several harsh words at the end of her lines to emphasize her point about the expeditions into the Antarctic. All of the following words are used at the end of lines,

"breakers, fight, gored, force her, cracked, crashed, pushed, challengers, forced, ravager, deepening mark."

This use of language and structure emphasizes Bradfield's point about the Ice Breakers and how they illustrate the aggressive nature of the Antarctic expeditions. Also, the use of structure in Bradfield's collection as a whole creates a readable, understandable illustration of the expeditions.

We find Bradfield's emotional connection with her subject in the poem, "Wives of the Polar Explorers." This poem brings out the hidden emotional aspect of the expeditions. Bradfield's use of conflicting emotions and powerful language creates a meaningful collection of poems about more than just the antarctic expeditions.