Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Morning of the Poem" is a poem by American poet James Schuyler. It was first published in his 1980 collection of the same name. Schuyler is known for his distinctive style, which combines the everyday details of suburban life with a deep sense of spiritual longing.

Explanation:

"Morning of the Poem" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the beauty and complexity of the world around us. The poem begins with a description of the "hazy winter" morning, with the speaker noting the "melting snow" and the "rising sun" as they go about their day.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life, and the ways in which the passing of time can both enrich and complicate our lives. The speaker describes the "bursts of yellow" and "blooms of purple" that mark the coming of spring, and reflects on the ways in which these moments of beauty can be both inspiring and overwhelming.

The poem also explores the role of art and creativity in our lives, as the speaker reflects on the ways in which poetry can help us to find meaning and purpose in the world. The final lines of the poem are a powerful declaration of the transformative power of art, as the speaker declares that "poetry makes nothing happen: it survives / in the valley of its making".

Throughout the poem, Schuyler's use of rich language and vivid imagery creates a sense of both beauty and melancholy. The poem is full of sensory detail, with the speaker describing everything from the "damp" smell of the morning air to the "pale gold" of the winter sky.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Morning of the Poem" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme or meter scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid, sensory images, such as the "melting snow" and the "pale gold" of the winter sky.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and melancholic, with moments of both sadness and hope.
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of the fleeting nature of life, the beauty of the natural world, the role of art and creativity, and the search for meaning and purpose in life.

Conclusion:

"Morning of the Poem" is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving poem that celebrates the beauty and complexity of the world around us, while also acknowledging the fleeting nature of life. Schuyler's use of rich language and vivid imagery creates a sense of both beauty and melancholy, while his exploration of the themes of art, creativity, and the search for meaning adds depth and nuance to the poem. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the transformative power of art and poetry, while also acknowledging the challenges and contradictions of life.

Poem Snippet:

"In the hazy winter

of the world, my wishful

thinking of the

morning I'd wake

up with nothing to

do, in a house with

windows by the sea,

has drifted away

like melting snow.

What do I make

of the bursts of yellow

the crocuses in the park

shoot up? Blooms

of purple are coming,

and soon the trees will

be green again. Poetry

makes nothing happen:

it survives

in the valley of its making."

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