Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Joanne Kyger was an American poet associated with the San Francisco Renaissance. "All This Everyday" is a reflective and meditative poem that explores the themes of nature, time, and the passage of life.

Context:

"All This Everyday" was published in 1975, a time when the United States was going through significant social and cultural changes. The poem reflects the sense of introspection and reflection that characterized the era, as well as the tension between the desire for simplicity and the complexity of life.

Content:

"All This Everyday" is a poem that reflects on the natural world and the ways in which it reflects the passage of life. The speaker reflects on the beauty and complexity of nature, and the ways in which it provides a sense of continuity and connection across time. The poem explores themes of impermanence, the cyclical nature of life, and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in the everyday.

Form:

"All This Everyday" is a short poem consisting of one stanza. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. The use of free verse creates a sense of fluidity and movement within the poem, reflecting the themes of impermanence and change.

Poetic Elements:

Kyger employs a variety of poetic techniques in "All This Everyday," including vivid imagery and metaphor. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid and evocative picture of the natural world, while the use of metaphor helps to convey the complexities of the speaker's feelings and experiences.

Summary:

"All This Everyday" is a reflective and meditative poem that captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world. The use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and evocative picture of the emotional and physical landscape, while the use of free verse gives the poem a sense of fluidity and movement. The poem's exploration of themes of impermanence, the cyclical nature of life, and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in the everyday make it a relevant and engaging work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Poem Snippet:

There are times when

the tiniest things hold the biggest

parts of ourselves

and we are off and on in a second

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...