Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Waldman is an American poet and performer associated with the Beat Generation literary movement. "Matriarchly" was published in 2019, during a time of renewed interest in feminist and matriarchal themes. The poem reflects on the power of women and the importance of matriarchal values in contemporary society.

Content: "Matriarchly" is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the power and strength of women, and advocates for a more matriarchal and inclusive society. The poem begins with the speaker celebrating the power and creativity of women, and the importance of matriarchal values such as compassion and nurturing. The speaker then reflects on the challenges and obstacles that women face in contemporary society, and the need to work together to overcome these obstacles and create a more just and equitable world.

Form: 

The poem's form is characterized by its short, free-verse lines and seamless flow, which create a sense of intimacy and immediacy in the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repeated phrase "matriarchly", helps to emphasize the poem's central theme and create a sense of unity and coherence within the poem.

Poetic Elements: 

The poem employs several poetic devices, including repetition, imagery, and allusion. The comparison of women to "beacons" and "stars" creates a sense of strength and empowerment, while the use of allusion to feminist and matriarchal figures underscores the poem's themes of solidarity and sisterhood.

Summary:

 "Matriarchly" is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the power and strength of women, and advocates for a more matriarchal and inclusive society. The poem's use of repetition and imagery helps to convey the sense of unity and solidarity that characterizes the feminist and matriarchal movements, while also highlighting the challenges and obstacles that women face in contemporary society. The poem's call to action is particularly powerful, urging women to embrace their power and work together to create a more just and equitable world. Overall, the poem is a testament to the enduring spirit of the feminist and matriarchal movements, and their ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Poem Excerpt:

Matriarchly, we'll nurture

the future, share in

the light, bring down

the darkness, be beacons

in a time of shifting sand

We are stars in a galaxy

of sisters and allies

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