Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | ||||||||
"Time Lapse with Tulips" is a poem by American poet Tess Gallagher. It was published in her collection "Moon Crossing Bridge" in 1992. The poem explores themes of time, growth, and decay, using the image of tulips blooming and withering as a metaphor for the passage of time. Explanation: The poem begins with a description of tulips in a garden, growing tall and blooming with "heads / of glossy reds and yellows." The speaker notes the passage of time, as the tulips "turn slowly / in the light, their petals widening," and then begin to wither and fade. As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the cyclical nature of life and death, describing how the tulips "come up and come up / until they are there" before fading away. The speaker also contemplates the transience of beauty, noting that the tulips "keep nothing for themselves" and "open for the world." The poem concludes with a reflection on the passage of time, and the inevitability of change and loss. The speaker notes that "each day / a glistening strand of the web / snaps and falls away," and acknowledges the difficulty of accepting this impermanence: "who can say what / it is to lose a thing." Poetic Elements:
Conclusion: "Time Lapse with Tulips" is a poignant meditation on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life and death. Gallagher uses the image of tulips growing and withering to explore the transience of beauty, the inevitability of change, and the difficulty of accepting loss. The poem's reflective tone and vivid imagery make it a powerful contemplation of the human experience. Poem Snippet: "They turn slowly in the light, their petals widening until the faces of flowers are formed before our eyes." Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SUNFLOWER, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE LONDON CHURCHES by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES THE LAND OF NOD by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ANYWHERE OUT OF THE WORLD by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 25 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE WANDERER: 3. IN ENGLAND: THE ALOE by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |
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