Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Learning by Doing" is a poem by Howard Nemerov, an American poet who served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1988 to 1990. The poem was first published in his collection "The Blue Swallows" in 1967.

Explanation:

"Learning by Doing" is a poem that explores the theme of learning and self-discovery. The speaker of the poem reflects on how he has learned important lessons by engaging in various activities, both positive and negative. He mentions a number of experiences, including "driving, dancing, dying," and suggests that each has taught him something about life.

The poem is divided into two stanzas, each containing six lines. The first stanza introduces the theme of the poem and sets up the speaker's reflection on his experiences. The second stanza goes into more detail, with the speaker describing the specific things he has learned from his experiences.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of two stanzas, each containing six lines. The lines are mostly written in iambic pentameter, with occasional variations in meter. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC.
• Imagery: The poem contains a number of vivid images that help to convey the speaker's experiences and emotions. For example, the lines "I have eaten my heart out alone" and "I have stood naked before the mirror" create powerful visual images.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative. The speaker is looking back on his experiences and considering what he has learned from them.

Conclusion:

"Learning by Doing" is a reflective poem that explores the theme of learning through experience. The poem suggests that life is a series of lessons, and that we can learn from both positive and negative experiences. The use of vivid imagery and iambic pentameter contribute to the poem's overall effect, which is contemplative and thought-provoking.

Poem Snippet:

"I have eaten my heart out alone,

Ridden bitter miles under the moon,

Gone through the pause on the telephone line

Where the tear gathers before it falls."

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