Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Midwest: Ode; In Memoriam William Matthews" is a poem by David Baker, first published in his 1994 collection "Changeable Thunder." The poem is a tribute to the poet William Matthews and explores the theme of loss and grief.

Explanation:

The poem describes the natural beauty of the Midwest and reflects on the passing of William Matthews. The speaker observes the changing of the seasons, the beauty of the landscape, and the cycles of life and death. The poem conveys a sense of loss and grief at the passing of a friend and a recognition of the impermanence of life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The lines are of varying length and follow a loose structure.
• Theme: The poem explores the theme of loss and grief, as well as the natural beauty of the Midwest.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery, such as the "brutal beauty" of the landscape and the changing colors of the leaves. These images convey a sense of the passage of time and the cycles of life and death.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is mournful and reflective, as the speaker reflects on the passing of a friend and the beauty of the natural world.
• Sound: The poem makes use of repetition, with the phrase "I want" appearing several times throughout the poem. The use of alliteration and assonance creates a sense of musicality and movement.
• Language: The language of the poem is straightforward and accessible, with a focus on concrete details.
• Figurative language: The poem uses metaphor, with the changing of the seasons and the cycles of life and death serving as a metaphor for the impermanence of life and the inevitability of loss.
• Structure: The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying length.
• Symbolism: The natural world serves as a symbolic representation of the beauty and transience of life.
• Emotion: The poem conveys a sense of loss and grief, as well as a recognition of the beauty and impermanence of life.

Conclusion:

"Midwest: Ode; In Memoriam William Matthews" is a poignant tribute to the beauty of the natural world and the impermanence of life. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, David Baker captures the complexity and nuance of grief and loss, as well as the wonder and beauty of the world around us.

Poem Snippet:

"I want to say he loved the Midwest,

the brutal beauty, its seasonal insistence

on death and life, the patient abiding

of its waters, and how the bluffs each fall"

*NOTE; William Matthews (1942-1997) was an American poet and essayist. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his BA from Yale University and his MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.. In addition to his work as a poet, Matthews was also a respected critic, essayist, and translator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Washington and the City University of New York.

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