Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Self-Portrait as Hurry and Delay" is a poem by Jorie Graham.

Explanation:

The poem is a self-portrait of the speaker as two opposing forces - Hurry and Delay. The poem explores the tension between these two states of being and the effect they have on the speaker's sense of self and perception of the world. The speaker grapples with questions of agency, purpose, and meaning, as they navigate the paradoxical experience of feeling both rushed and stagnant at the same time.

The poem is structured in two parts, with the first section presenting the voice of Hurry and the second section presenting the voice of Delay. Throughout the poem, Graham employs vivid imagery and rich metaphor to convey the speaker's inner turmoil and existential questioning. The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, as the speaker reflects on their place in the world and the nature of time.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse poem with irregular line breaks
• Theme: The human experience of time and the tension between living in the moment and longing for the future or past
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and sometimes surreal imagery, such as "a hive of bees/ holding open the lip of the world" and "wind-up toys running into walls"
• Tone: A sense of urgency and restlessness permeates the poem, as the speaker grapples with the contradictions of time
• Sound: The poem has a musical quality, with internal rhyme and repetition creating a sense of momentum and urgency
• Language: The language is complex and rich, with a mix of abstract and concrete images, and shifts between colloquial and elevated diction
• Figurative language: The poem makes use of metaphor and personification to explore the themes of time and mortality, with the speaker embodying the opposing forces of Hurry and Delay
• Structure: The poem is divided into four sections, each with its own internal structure and pacing, reflecting the ebb and flow of time
• Symbolism: The poem uses a variety of symbols, such as the hive of bees and the wind-up toys, to represent different aspects of time and the human experience

Conclusion:

"Self-Portrait as Hurry and Delay" is a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of human experience and the dichotomies that define our lives. Graham's use of language and metaphor create a vivid and compelling portrait of the speaker's inner world, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationship with time and the choices they make in the face of its passing.

Poem Snippet:

"I am the one who hurries

and the one who waits

the one who forgets

and the one who is forgotten."

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