Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Cheer" is a poem by William Meredith, an American poet who served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1978 to 1980. The poem was first published in 1980 and is a reflection on the nature of happiness and its relationship to memory.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on their memories of a happy time in their life, recalling the sights, sounds, and sensations of that moment. As the poem progresses, the speaker acknowledges that this moment has passed and that they can never fully recapture it. However, rather than feeling despair, the speaker expresses a sense of gratitude for having experienced such a moment of joy.

Throughout the poem, Meredith uses a range of poetic devices to convey the complexity of the speaker's emotional state, including vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition. The poem is characterized by a sense of wistful longing, as the speaker tries to come to terms with the fleeting nature of happiness.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Cheer" is a free-verse poem with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid sensory images, particularly in its depiction of the happy moment the speaker recalls.
• Metaphor: The poem employs a number of metaphors, particularly in its exploration of the relationship between memory and happiness.
• Repetition: The poem makes use of repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, as well as to emphasize key ideas.
• Theme: The poem explores the complex relationship between memory and happiness, as well as the importance of gratitude in the face of life's transience.

Conclusion:

"Cheer" is a poignant and introspective poem that explores the nature of happiness and its relationship to memory. Through his use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Meredith creates a powerful sense of the speaker's emotional state, capturing both the joy and the sadness of the moment. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder of the fleeting nature of happiness and the importance of gratitude in the face of life's transience.

Poem Snippet:

"That was a happy moment,

When everything for a heartbeat fit,

The light, the smell, the air, the thought.

It's gone, it's gone, but gratitude

Has stayed awhile, has come to cheer

A corner of the desolate house."

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