Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Aboard! Aboard!" is a poem by Donald Justice, first published in 1975. The poem is a reflection on the human experience of longing and desire.

Explanation:

The poem is written from the perspective of a speaker who is on a ship and longs to be on land. The speaker reflects on the sense of restlessness and longing that comes with the human experience of desire, and on the way that desire can both propel us forward and hold us back. The poem explores the tension between the present moment and the future, and between the desire for stability and the desire for adventure.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of seven stanzas, each with six lines. It has no consistent rhyme scheme, but uses repetition and enjambment to create a sense of musicality and flow.
• Theme: The human experience of longing and desire, the tension between stability and adventure.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid and often metaphorical imagery to explore the theme of longing and desire, including the "sea's sharp sail," "the ship's blue sides," and "the secret fish."
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, with a sense of restlessness and longing.
• Sound: The poem uses repetition and enjambment to create a sense of musicality and flow, and to emphasize the emotional weight of the subject matter.
• Language: The language is poetic and elevated, with occasional use of archaic language and nautical terms.
• Figurative language: The poem uses metaphor and symbolism to explore the theme of longing and desire, such as "the secret fish" as a metaphor for the elusive object of desire.
• Structure: The lack of a consistent rhyme scheme and the use of enjambment create a sense of urgency and immediacy that mirrors the urgency of the poem's message.
• Symbolism: The ship represents the human experience of longing and desire, while the sea represents the unknown and the future.
• Emotion: The poem conveys a sense of restlessness and longing, as well as a sense of possibility and adventure.

In summary, "Aboard! Aboard!" is a thoughtful and evocative poem that explores the complex and often difficult experience of human desire. The poem's use of vivid and often metaphorical imagery, metaphorical language, and symbolism create a sense of depth and meaning that goes beyond the literal subject matter. The poem invites readers to reflect on the ways in which desire propels us forward, and the ways in which it can also hold us back. The poem was first published in 1975, and remains a timeless meditation on the human heart.

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