DEATH CAME TO SEE ME IN HOT PINK PANTS

LITERAL MEANING
The persona is recalling a dream where death came to see him/ her in hot pink pants and a matching waistcoat.  Death was a beautiful saga boy (Trinidadian term for dandy, player, hot boy) who forced his way into the persona's life and smiled as he tried to kill him/her.  The persona tried to fight death, but death simply laughed at him, while still trying to kill him.  The persona then awoke, fighting for breath, and still reflecting on death's visit to him/ her in hot-pink pants with a matching waistcoat.
1. Last night, I dreamt
that Death came to see me
in hot-pink pants
and matching waistcoat too.
3. He was a beautiful black saga boy.
4. Forcing open the small door of my wooden cage.
He filled my frame of vision
5. with a broad white smile,
and as he reached for my throat,
2. the pink sequins on his shoulders
winked at me

1. Last night, I dreamt
that Death came to see me in hot-pink pants.
3. He was a beautiful black saga boy
and I hit him with a polished staff
of yellow wood,
and he went down.
But as he reached for me once more,
1. Laughing, laughing that saga boy laugh,
I awoke, holding myself,
unable to breathe.
6. How beautiful was Death
in hot-pink pants with matching waistcoat too.

Poet: Heather Royes 
​LITERARY DEVICES
1. REPETITION
  • Stanza 1, lines 1-5 & Stanza 2, lines 11-13: This line is repeated twice, at the beginning of each stanza, to emphasize three points.  First, the persona is reflecting on a dream, two, Death is a person who is dressed in a non-conventional manner, and three, Death is a 'hot boy'. These characteristics are emphasized to soften the idea of death, and make it seem approachable and non-threatening. After all, a saga boy is often beloved and admired, even though he breaks hearts.  The non-conventional nature of Death's attire is also a method of softening the concept of death.  The colour hot pink is associated with brashness, spunk, and femininity.  This renders death to be a complex concept that is almost whimsical in nature. 
  • Stanza 2, line 19: This repetitious laughter on the part of death reveals that it/ he enjoys playing with his victims because he knows that their resistance is futile, they will get caught eventually.  This maniacal laughter gives the reader a peak at the real death, minus the hot pink distraction of his outfit.
2. PERSONIFICATION
  • Stanza 1, lines 10-11: This device adds to the whimsical feel that the poet is trying to convey about death.  It is contrasted with the line above it, however, that reveals the reality of what death really represents, terror and fear.  The overall effect of this is a morbid portrayal of death.  Death almost appears to be a horrific clown that terrorizes its victims.​
3. ALLITERATION/ REPETITION
  • Stanza 1, lines 5 & Stanza 2, line 14: This device deals with the effect of sound, therefore, the sound of the 'b's brings a sensuality to the line. Even though death is lethal, there exists a sensuality about it/him that draws his victims towards him.  This is echoed in the fact that the persona seems fascinated by him, as seen in the last line of the poem.  Even though the persona struggles with death and barely escapes unscathed, there is still a fascination with this character that wears hot pink pants with matching waistcoat too.
IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES
4. 'Forcing open the small door of my wooden cage' (Stanza 1, line 6)
The small wooden cage is the persona's life.  Death forces the small door of life open to take life itself from the persona.
5. 'with a broad white smile, and as he reached for my throat' (Stanza 1, lines 8-9)
This highlights the viciousness of death.  It's/ his purpose is to take life and it strives to achieve its goals with a vicious pleasure, this death is not civil.
6. 'How beautiful was Death in hot-pink pants with matching waistcoat too' (Stanza 2, lines 22-23)
Despite Death's cruel actions, the persona still finds him attractive and alluring.  This is a lot like an individual who has a dangerous profession where he/ she flirts with death daily, yet cannot give it up.                                                                            
MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE
The tone is one of admiration and surprise.
​The mood is one of fear.


Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas                        ​
Royes, Heather. 'Death Came to See Me in Hot Pink Pants' in A World of Poetry. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.


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