Make a phonetic transcription of the following poem by Theodore Roethke. Transcribe your own speech as you would naturally read this text. Use the phonetic symbols in Barber, pp. 11 and 13. But remember to use the symbol /o/ for the vowel in the word "broke." Do not use the diphthong that Barber uses for the American /o/ unless you really hear yourself saying that sound. It might be helpful to consult this website on British and American vowels. Due in class, Tuesday 3 February.
Nothing would sleep in that cellar, dank as a ditch,
Bulbs broke out of boxes hunting for chinks in the dark,
Shoots dangled and drooped,
Lolling obscenely from mildewed crates,
Hung down long evil yellow necks, like tropical snakes.
And what a congress of stinks!--
Roots ripe as old bait,
Pulpy stems, rank, silo-rich,
Leaf-mold, manure, lime, piled against slippery planks.
Nothing would give up life:
Even the dirt kept breathing a small breath.