Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Time Around Scars" is a poem written by Michael Ondaatje, a Sri Lankan-Canadian poet and novelist. The poem was first published in 1973 in his poetry collection "The Collected Works of Billy the Kid".

Explanation:

The poem "The Time Around Scars" is a reflection on the effects of time on the healing process of scars, both physical and emotional. The speaker meditates on the idea that time may not necessarily heal all wounds, and instead may simply allow us to become accustomed to and accept the presence of our scars. The poem also explores the idea of memory and how it plays a role in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our experiences.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse and consists of five stanzas of varying lengths.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid and tactile imagery, such as "bruised flesh", "a mottled tongue", and "the rungs of the ladder of your spine".
• Metaphor: The poem uses the metaphor of scars to represent both physical and emotional trauma.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, with a sense of melancholy and resignation.

Conclusion:

"The Time Around Scars" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the enduring effects of trauma and the role that time and memory play in our ability to heal and move forward. Ondaatje's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphor help to create a deeply affecting meditation on the nature of scars and the human experience of pain and healing.

Poem Snippet:

"But time is just another lie.

Lately I've come to see it this way:

memories are a kind of time.

It's like horses. You can ride them

flat into the ground, until you can't find

a trace of what you were thinking of."

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