Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Can doov deelish" by Dora Sigerson Shorter is a poignant poem that conveys the speaker's sorrow and longing for a lost loved one. This elegy combines nature imagery with an emotional plea, leading to a reflection on grief, loss, and hope.

The poem "Can doov deelish" centers around the speaker's lament for a loved one who appears to have died at sea. The repeated cries to the lost one and the turbulent imagery of the sea intertwine to express a profound sense of longing and despair.

Theme Analysis

Grief and Loss: The overwhelming theme of the poem is the speaker's grief over the loss of a loved one. Nature's Power: The wild horses and stormy sea are used to symbolize the uncontrollable forces of nature, reflecting the chaos and pain of loss. Hope and Prayer: Despite the sorrow, there is a glimmer of hope as the speaker prays for the comfort of the lost one..

Content

The poem tells the story of the speaker's longing for a lost loved one, who is described with great affection as "dear black head." The imagery of riderless horses and turbulent seas paints a vivid picture of chaos and loss.

Poetic Devices

Repetition: The repeated cry of "Can doov deelish" serves as a mournful refrain, enhancing the emotion of the poem. Imagery: The poem abounds with powerful imagery of the sea, wind, and horses, creating a tangie sense of wildness and despair. Metaphor: The riderless horses and stormy sea are metaphors for the uncontrollable and often cruel forces of life and death.

Rhyme and Rhythm:

The poem's consistent rhyme scheme (AABCCB) contributes to the musicality of the poem and helps to enhance the emotion conveyed in the verses. The repeated rhyming lines emphasize the sentiments of loss and longing, while the more complex rhyme interlinks the stanzas in a way that mirrors the intertwining of grief and hope within the poem. and rhythm give it a musical quality, adding to its mournful tone.

Structure

The poem consists of five quatrains, each following an AABCCB rhyme scheme. The structure serves to maintain a regular flow, mirroring the relentless waves of the sea.

Conclusion

"Can doov deelish" by Dora Sigerson Shorter is a haunting poem that explores grief, nature's untamed power, and the human longing for connection and comfort. Through its rich imagery, emotional intensity, and graceful structure, the poem invites readers to empathize with the universal experience of loss. The sorrowful cry to the lost one, coupled with the hope found in prayer, makes this poem a touching elegy that resonates with the longing for something beyond our reach.

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