Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Return of Robinson Jeffers" is a poem by Robert Hass, an American poet who served as United States Poet Laureate from 1995 to 1997. The poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the legacy of the poet Robinson Jeffers.

The poem was written in 1983, after Hass visited the home of the poet Robinson Jeffers in Carmel, California. Jeffers was a major American poet of the early 20th century, known for his rugged and philosophical poetry about the natural world.

Explanation:

The poem describes the speaker's reflections on Jeffers and his poetry, and the ways in which his legacy continues to shape the landscape of American poetry. The poem suggests that Jeffers was a visionary poet who saw the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and that his legacy continues to inspire and influence poets today.

Despite the simplicity of the poem, there is a sense of depth and complexity in Hass's use of language. The poem is filled with vivid and striking imagery that creates a powerful sense of the beauty and complexity of Jeffers's poetry and its relationship to the natural world.

The poem is a reflection on the legacy of Robinson Jeffers and the importance of his poetry in shaping the landscape of American poetry. It suggests that Jeffers was a visionary poet who saw the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and that his legacy continues to inspire and influence poets today.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with eight lines. The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme, with occasional slant rhymes and assonance.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and striking imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the natural world and Jeffers's poetry.
• Metaphor: Jeffers and his poetry are used as a metaphor for the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, reflecting the complexity and beauty of the subject matter.

Conclusion:

"The Return of Robinson Jeffers" is a powerful and evocative poem that reflects on the legacy of the poet Robinson Jeffers and the importance of his poetry in shaping the landscape of American poetry. Hass's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of the beauty and complexity of Jeffers's poetry and its relationship to the natural world. The poem is a poignant reflection on the human experience of the natural world and the importance of poetry in capturing its beauty and complexity.

Poem Snippet:

"The gulls cry, layering

and separating in waves of sound.

The air is like a cathedral

and the light, as always here, is indirect."

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