Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"After the Speech to the Librarians" is a poem by David Wagoner, an American poet and novelist known for his works that explore themes of nature and the human experience. Wagoner was born in 1926 in Ohio and has written numerous books of poetry, including "After the Speech to the Librarians," which was first published in 1976.

Explanation:

The poem "After the Speech to the Librarians" is a meditation on the theme of disillusionment and the ways in which our expectations can be shattered. The speaker describes giving a speech to librarians, in which he talks about the importance of the written word and the power of literature to transform our lives. However, after the speech, the speaker encounters a world that is filled with violence, corruption, and despair. The poem also touches on the idea that even in the face of disillusionment, we can still find moments of beauty and connection.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse with no consistent rhyme or meter
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the violence and despair in the world, as well as the moments of beauty and connection
• Repetition: Use of repetition in the phrase "After the speech" to emphasize the theme of disillusionment
• Metaphor: Use of the speech as a metaphor for the ways in which our expectations can be shattered, and the written word as a metaphor for the ways in which literature can transform our lives

Conclusion:

"After the Speech to the Librarians" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of disillusionment and the ways in which our expectations can be shattered. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem portrays the violence and despair in the world as a stark contrast to the idealism and hopefulness of the speaker's speech to the librarians. The poem also challenges us to recognize the ways in which literature can still offer moments of beauty and connection, even in the face of disillusionment and despair.

Poem Snippet:

After the speech to the librarians

we drank sherries and bourbons and scotches

in a green room filled with books.

After the speech we took off our ties

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