Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained
AROUND PASTOR BONHOEFFER: NEXT TO LAST THINGS, by STANLEY JASSPON KUNITZ Poet Analysis Poet's Biography | ||||||||
"Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a poem by American poet Stanley Kunitz. It was first published in his 1978 collection "The Poems of Stanley Kunitz, 1928-1978". Kunitz was a highly respected American poet who served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress twice, and won several awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Explanation: "Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of faith, mortality, and the human condition. The poem is inspired by the life and work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and resistance fighter who was executed by the Nazis during World War II. As the speaker contemplates Bonhoeffer's life and legacy, they become increasingly aware of the ways in which the struggle for faith and meaning are intertwined with the struggle for justice and compassion in the world. The poem ends on a note of both sadness and hope, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death but also finds solace in the idea that our lives can continue to have meaning and purpose long after we are gone. Poetic Elements:
Conclusion: "Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most profound aspects of the human experience, including faith, mortality, and the struggle for justice and compassion in the world. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of both beauty and sadness, while his exploration of the ways in which our lives can continue to have meaning and purpose long after we are gone adds depth and nuance to the poem. Poem Snippet: "And yet, when all the blackbirds fly from the desolate city into the smoldering pages of the next cataclysm, we shall still be here, our faces turned toward the West, listening for the lost voice of the cranes returning."
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