Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Paired Things" is a poem by Kay Ryan, an American poet born in 1945. The poem was first published in Ryan's 2010 poetry collection, "The Best of It." The poem explores the idea of balance and how it manifests in the natural world.

Explanation:

"Paired Things" is a meditation on the nature of balance and symmetry in the natural world. The poem begins by describing a pair of pears, suggesting that their symmetry is an example of balance in the natural world. The poem goes on to explore other examples of symmetry and balance, such as the way a bird's wings work in tandem. The poem concludes by suggesting that balance is a fundamental aspect of the natural world, and that we should strive to find balance in our own lives.

Poetic Elements:

• Metaphor: the paired things are a metaphor for balance and symmetry in the natural world
• Imagery: the poem includes vivid descriptions of the paired things and their symmetry
• Rhyme scheme: the poem has a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme
• Wordplay: the poem includes several instances of wordplay and puns

Conclusion:

"Paired Things" is a thought-provoking meditation on the nature of balance and symmetry in the natural world. The poem encourages us to look for balance in our own lives, and to appreciate the beauty and harmony of the natural world.

Poem Snippet:

"A kite cut free/Will want to be/a kite again/And take on wind."

"The way we choose/to frame things in/the end/can determine what/they become."

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