Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Program" is a poem by Kenneth Fearing, an American poet and novelist who was active in the mid-20th century. The poem is a commentary on the state of American society and the impact of consumer culture on our lives.

Explanation:

The poem describes a bleak and monotonous world, with long nights, dull programs, and nothing to do but feed the machine with quarters and watch the numbers spin. The poem suggests that American society is dominated by consumer culture, with people's lives reduced to a series of meaningless routines.

Despite the bleakness of the poem, there is a sense of beauty in Fearing's use of language. The poem is filled with vivid and striking imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the colors of the year and the people in the streets. Fearing's use of repetition and rhyme creates a sense of the monotony and emptiness of American society.

The poem is a commentary on the state of American society and the impact of consumer culture on our lives. It suggests that we have become disconnected from our own humanity, reduced to mere cogs in a machine.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme of ABABCC.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and striking imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the colors of the year and the people in the streets.
• Repetition: The poem uses repetition to create a sense of the monotony and emptiness of American society.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is bleak and pessimistic, reflecting the emptiness of American society and the impact of consumer culture on our lives.

Conclusion:

"Program" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that reflects on the bleakness and emptiness of American society. Fearing's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and rhyme creates a sense of the monotony and meaninglessness of our lives, suggesting that we have become disconnected from our own humanity. The poem is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the impact of consumer culture on our lives.

Poem Snippet:

"The cold is here, the nights

Are long, and the radios

Are full of speeches and jazz.

And the colors of the year

Are gray and brown and red,

And the drawers are full of socks."

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