Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Diane di Prima (1934-2020) was an American poet, writer, and feminist who was associated with the Beat Generation literary movement. Born in Brooklyn, New York, di Prima began writing poetry at a young age and became involved in the bohemian counterculture of Greenwich Village in the 1950s. She published her first collection of poetry, "This Kind of Bird Flies Backward," in 1958, and went on to publish numerous other works over the course of her career, including the feminist epic "Loba." In addition to her writing, di Prima was a political activist and a key figure in the feminist and anti-war movements of the 1960s and 70s. She was also a teacher, and founded the Poets Press and the New York Poets Theatre. Di Prima's poetry is known for its fierce feminist energy, its engagement with the spiritual and mystical traditions of the world's cultures, and its commitment to social justice and political activism.

"Loba: 1" is a poem from Diane di Prima's epic feminist work, "Loba." Published in 1978, "Loba" is a long poem that was written over several decades and explores the themes of female power, sexuality, and spirituality.It was published during a time of renewed interest in feminist and matriarchal values.

Context: 

"Loba: 1" is a poem from Diane di Prima's epic feminist work, "Loba." Published in 1978, "Loba" is a long poem that was written over several decades and explores the themes of female power, sexuality, and spirituality.It was published during a time of renewed interest in feminist and matriarchal values.

Content:

 "LOBA: 1" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of female power and sexuality through the image of the wolf. The poem begins with the image of a man falling apart in the hands of a woman, and then moves on to describe the fierce and untamed energy of the wolf. The speaker invokes the image of the wolf as a symbol of female power and wildness, suggesting that women have been tamed and domesticated by a patriarchal society.

Form: 

The poem's form is characterized by its short, free-verse lines and seamless flow, which create a sense of immediacy and intimacy in the poem. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, helps to create a sense of fluidity and movement in the language.

Poetic Elements: 

The poem employs several poetic devices, including metaphor, imagery, and allusion. The comparison of the woman's lover to a crumbling object creates a sense of disintegration and decay, while the use of the wolf as a symbol of female power and wildness suggests the possibility of a deeper, more profound connection between the speaker and the natural world.

Summary: 

"LOBA: 1" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of female power and sexuality through the image of the wolf. The poem's use of metaphor and imagery helps to convey the strength and vitality of the wolf, while also suggesting the possibility of a deeper, more profound connection between the speaker and the natural world. The poem's feminist message is particularly resonant, as it challenges the traditional patriarchal values that have oppressed women for centuries. Overall, the poem is a testament to the enduring spirit of feminist and matriarchal values, and their ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Poem Excerpt:

If he did not come apart in her hands, he fell

What did you do with the pieces?

Burn them? Bury them? Keep them

in your pocket as a charm against

the love that wrenched you out of shape

and made you less than you were?

Did you ever escape the heavy

stone that held you fast, with her

wolf's eyes out of your head?

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...