Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Block City" is a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson that captures the imaginative world of a child playing with blocks. The child envisions creating a bustling city with various structures and activities.

The child asks what can be built with blocks, and proceeds to describe the elaborate city they construct. The blocks become castles, palaces, temples, and even the sea represented by a carpet. The child establishes a city for themselves, complete with a church (kirk), a mill, a palace, and a harbor where toy vessels can safely ride.

The palace is described as grand, with pillars, walls, and a tower on top. The steps leading down from the palace are orderly, and at the bottom lies the bay where the toy vessels are stationed. The child's imagination brings the city to life, with sailing ships and moored vessels, and the sailors aboard singing their songs.

The steps of the palace are busy with kings coming and going, bringing presents and other offerings. The child's imagination fills the city with activity and a sense of grandeur.

The poem concludes by expressing the lasting impression of the city on the child's memory. The child reflects on how they will always remember their town by the sea, with its kirk, palace, ships, and people. The imaginative play and creation of this block city leave a lasting impact on the child, shaping their memories and experiences.

"Block City" celebrates the power of a child's imagination and their ability to create vibrant worlds through simple toys like blocks. It highlights the joy and wonder of imaginative play and the lasting impressions it can leave on a person's mind.

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