Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Interior Decorator on Sunday" is a poem by August Kleinzahler, published in his collection of poems titled "Green Sees Things in Waves" in 1999. The poem is written in free verse and is characterized by vivid imagery and a reflective tone.

Explanation:

The poem is a contemplation on the life of an interior decorator, who has worked hard all week, and now finds himself at rest on Sunday. The poem begins with the speaker describing the stillness of the decorator's home and his quiet surroundings. The speaker then reflects on the idea that the decorator's work is a form of art, as he carefully selects and places each object in the room, much like a painter with his paintbrush. The speaker goes on to ponder on the transient nature of the decorator's work, as the objects he arranges will eventually be replaced by new ones, leaving no trace of his efforts. The poem ends with the speaker contemplating the notion that the decorator's work is perhaps a form of escapism, a way for him to distance himself from the troubles of the world.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is characterized by vivid imagery, such as the "slight gap of sky, a slice of blue between the rows of buildings", which creates a strong sense of place and atmosphere.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective, with the speaker contemplating the deeper meaning behind the interior decorator's work and the nature of art itself.
• Symbolism: The interior decorator's work is used as a symbol for art, with the speaker drawing parallels between the decorator's careful selection and placement of objects and a painter's use of a paintbrush.

Conclusion:

"Interior Decorator on Sunday" is a reflective poem that contemplates the nature of art through the lens of an interior decorator's work. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, the poem explores the transient nature of art, the role of escapism in artistic endeavors, and the parallels between seemingly disparate art forms.

Poem Snippet:

"Here, in this hushed, precise, and windowless space,

the world arranges itself to please him,

arranges itself around him, to please."

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