Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

“Sunday: New Guinea” is a poem by American poet Karl Shapiro. It was first published in his collection “Poems of a Jew” in 1946. The poem describes the experience of a soldier stationed in New Guinea during World War II on a Sunday.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker noting that “Today is Sunday,” and then goes on to describe the surroundings of the soldier who is stationed in New Guinea during World War II. The soldier looks out at the mountains and the jungle, which are described in vivid detail. The speaker then notes that the soldier has been away from home for a long time and that he is homesick. The soldier is described as feeling “lonely and alien” in this foreign land.

As the soldier continues to look out at the scenery, he is struck by the beauty of the landscape. He observes the “jungle crawling” up the side of the mountain and notes how the sunlight filters through the trees. The beauty of the scenery momentarily distracts the soldier from his feelings of homesickness.

However, the soldier’s thoughts soon turn to the war and the violence that he has witnessed. He reflects on the death and destruction that he has seen and wonders if he will ever be able to return to a peaceful existence. The poem ends with the soldier looking out at the landscape once more, but this time with a sense of sadness and resignation.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Imagery: The poem makes use of vivid imagery to describe the scenery of New Guinea, including the mountains, jungle, and sunlight filtering through the trees.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is one of sadness and reflection, as the soldier thinks about his experiences in the war and his feelings of homesickness.

Conclusion:

“Sunday: New Guinea” is a poem that explores the experiences of a soldier stationed in New Guinea during World War II. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, the poem captures the soldier’s sense of homesickness and alienation, as well as his appreciation for the beauty of the landscape. The poem is a poignant reflection on the impact of war on individual soldiers and their sense of displacement in foreign lands.

Poem Snippet:

“Today is Sunday.

The mountains crawl by like a slow reptile,

The jungle floats like a green sunlit cloud.

This is a moment for thinking of home,

But I am here a long time.”

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