Sherry In The Saddle

This poem uses repetition and rhythmic onomatopoeia to create a sense of urgency and conflict, immediately drawing the reader into what seems to be a war setting. The key figure, Sherry, appears to be a central military or leadership figure whose presence or absence significantly impacts the course of the situation. The repeated phrase "Sherry's not/in the saddle" serves as a refrain, providing a rhythmic backbone to the poem and emphasizing the critical role of this character.

The poem's tone is energetic, almost chaotic, reflecting the tumult of battle. The phrases "Zip-zip-zip! Zip-zip-zip!" and "Rat-tat-tat! Rat-tat-tat!" are likely mimicking the sounds of gunfire or hoofbeats, further amplifying the sense of action and urgency. The color references to blue and gray clearly represent the Union and Confederate forces of the American Civil War, and the alternating phrases "Boys in blue/gray skedaddle" illustrates the shifting tides of conflict depending on Sherry's involvement. The poem's structure, with its repetition and tight rhythm, mirrors the cyclical nature of war itself - with clear winners and losers in any given moment, but ultimately a continuing cycle of conflict. This poem, therefore, uses sound and repetition to vividly convey the chaos of war and the significant role of leadership within it.