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Lyrical Analysis of...
Ars Poetica II
- [This](this line is a metaphor and is a double entendre, the Ars poetics flip and yakuza meaning) is [Ars Poetica](latin for the art of poetry, also a writing from the philosopher “Horace”.)going [against](the bar is about how my poetry combats against evil and wickedness, violence and such) the [Yakuza](a violent Japanese group from a long time ago)
- [They try unspool these useless fools of tekiya.](at least 2 entendres in this bart: Literal meaning: “They”, likely the violent or criminal element, are trying to unravel or destroy the “fools of tekiya” —vendors, working class people. This frames it as an oppression of honest laborers. Wordplay meaning: In Japanese, “Yakuza” literally comes from a losing hand in a card game, 8 9 3 =ya ku za, translating roughly to “useless person”. So I’m saying they’re “useless fools” and identifying them as Yakuza —it’s a double entendre in the phrase “useless fools”. Symbolic meaning. entendre 3: “Unspool” implies undoing, unraveling, or destabilizing —it’s an image of destruction or corruption of something carefully wound, like society, work ethic, or traditional values. Possibly also implies storytelling being unraveled —poetry vs violence again. “Unspool” =metaphor for undoing order, dismantling structure, or corrupting hard work. “Useless fools of tekiya” =metaphor for the way society might view these hard working vendors, as fools, despite their contribution —or alternatively, a bitter sarcasm toward how they’re treated. The entire line acts as a metaphor for how violence dismantles humble industry —the criminal underworld preying on the working poor.)
- [I ain’t ate, I’ve been nine times three](“I ain’t ate” is a metaphor for malnourishment, either through stress or being distracted. “Ate” also plays into the homophone for “8”. I’ve been 9 x 3 means I’ve been 27, a metaphor for being in a place mentally that isn’t strong, like people in the 27 club. This ties back to the metaphor for “I ain’t ate”. Also, 8, 9 and 3 in Japanese are Ya, Ku, Za, spelling Yakuza, the main topic of the rap. The other meaning of this bar is how I’ve been also feeling violent, through my actions or even my pen, as in diss tracks or hard lyrical songs. In the end, this bar has 4+ metaphors and a triple entendre, maybe more)
- [I’ve been thinking Kurt Cobain, honestly](Kurt Cobain plays as 2 metaphors, playing from the previous bar, 27, the year he committed suicide, so I’m saying I’ve been in a dark place mentally. But also, it could be a juxtaposition to that, thinking “Kurt Cobain” can be like thinking as a rockstar, a fanatic etc, making this bar a double entendre with 2 metaphors)
- [Those American stallions can’t mess with the C.O.C](the bar is a quadruple entendre with 4 metaphors. This bar simply is that flashiness cannot match culture. Stallions literally: symbol of flashiness, power, speed, agility. Metaphor: Americans are flashy, arrogant, reckless, possibly cowboys, rappers, outlaws, soldiers or even cultural symbols. Cultural: critique of American bravado or western excess. That’s just 3 layers on the world “stallions”. “Cane mess with the C.O.C, the code of chivalry, used by the Yakuza members. Literal meaning: a set of honour codes, used historically by knights, but adapted in other cultures. Yakuza code: Japanese gangs have their own strict code of respect, loyalty and honour. Cultural metaphor: The line contrasts American “wildness” vs. Japanese discipline and cultural rootedness. Therefore stallions= Americans/masculine flashiness/reckless culture. C.o.C: discipline/ancient honour/cultural superiority/control of chaos. America vs Japan =Wild West vs Ancient Code. American vs Philosophy: uncivilized vs refined)
- [The Americans are the ones who point fingers too](throughout history, America has pointed fingers at others, cultures, races or politics, scapegoating others. This is where the “finger” word play comes in heavily.)
- You owe the [apology](this ties into “yubitsume”, the apology method of the Yakuza) now commence the [yubitsume](a practice by the Yakuza when performing an apology, you would have to cut off a finger to show remorse and sorrow. This bar alone is a quadruple entendre: 1: pointing fingers literally, idiomatic accusation. 2: Yubitsume as both cultural reference and a metaphor for losing the right to accuse. 3: You owe the apology =literal remorse +metaphorical reversal of blame. 4: Finger pointing leading to finger losing —circular poetic irony. That’s like 4 5 metaphors and 4 entendres.)
- [Don’t point your index if the page isn’t true](it is a layered bar that expands the themes of accountability introduced in the previous “yubitsume” line. Pointing the index is a metaphor not just for accusation, but for directing others ideologically—assigning blame while shaping paths of belief. The “page” symbolizes history, knowledge, or official records, and saying it “isn’t true” critiques lies, revisionism, and misinformation. There’s a powerful implication that many people build arguments on fabricated narratives, whether for political gain or to avoid culpability. The “index” also serves as a symbol of control over navigation and understanding—whoever controls the index determines what’s read, believed, or followed. The bar subtly attacks colonial narratives, media propaganda, and institutional lies, warning against referencing falsehoods to justify actions. Thematically, it ties into poetic and philosophical traditions where truth seeking is sacred, echoing the consequences of dishonor and distortion that “yubitsume” represents. This bar blends social commentary with literary precision, using metaphor to demand integrity in discourse.)
- [Just know I’ve been blessed by the sage from the moon](Sage =sacred Indian herb, or sage representing a wise native chief. Being blessed by it, from the moon, something natives believe brings forth treasures etc. this bar plays on how I’ve been blessed by sacred things)
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