Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"To Anuradhapura" is a poem by Michael Ondaatje, a Sri Lankan-born Canadian writer. The poem was published in 1987 as part of Ondaatje's collection of poems, "Secular Love."

Explanation:

The poem is a meditation on the ancient city of Anuradhapura, located in Sri Lanka. It describes the beauty of the city's architecture and the spiritual significance of its ruins, which were once part of a thriving Buddhist civilization. The speaker of the poem reflects on the transience of human life and the enduring power of the natural world.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with six lines.
• Imagery: The poem is rich with sensory imagery, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of Anuradhapura. For example, "the smell of jackfruit ripening / on charcoal burners," "monkeys on the roof / running from yard to yard," and "peacocks in the gardens."
• Symbolism: The ruins of Anuradhapura are used as a symbol of the impermanence of human life and the enduring power of nature.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative.

Conclusion: 

"To Anuradhapura" is a haunting and beautiful poem that captures the spiritual power and enduring beauty of one of Sri Lanka's most ancient cities. The poem is a meditation on the impermanence of human life and the enduring power of nature, and it is a testament to Ondaatje's skill as a poet.

Poem Snippet:

"And in the morning

the low clouds would open, revealing

the miles of surrounding paddyfields,

their edges blurred by the distant mountains.

On these mornings the pilgrims

walked barefoot through dew

to keep their appointment with the sacred."

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