“TV” contains several allusions. To what do they refer and how do they reveal the theme in the poem? Smaller than the thirst.
When Donna turned
The steak and onions,
We turned grape trays
In a vineyard
That we worked like an abacus,
A row at a time.
And today the world
Still plots, unravels with
Piano lessons for this child,
Braces for that one—
Gin in the afternoon,
Ice from the bucket…
But if the electricity
Fails, in this town,
A store front might
Be smashed, sacks may find
Hands, a whistle
Point the way.
And if someone steps out
With a black and white TV,
It’s because we love you Donna,
We miss you Ozzie.