"Remora, Remora" by Thomas Lux

Thomas Lux deploys a disappointed and disapproving tone in "Remora, Remora," complaining about social immobility and severe reliance on individuals higher up in the social scene. Lux utilizes metaphor and syndeton to further this message. He builds on an extended metaphor throughout the poem, as he compares the remora fish to a common individual in modern society, reliant upon government and powerful lawmakers and businessman to push the tide of the world. Lux's syndeton constructs this message, as seemingly-infinite conjunctions build this metaphorical hierarchy of aquatic social structure: "and feeding off its crumbs...and on top of that one...until on top of that." The extended metaphor becomes increasingly evident; a common person "rides along in the blue current," waiting for higher-ups to make a move and control their lives. Lux calls for an end to this reliance and greater power to the people, as he uses syndeton and an extended metaphor to hammer in this message of a social hierarchy that needs to be taken down.