Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Dream of Now" is a poem by William Edgar Stafford, an American poet known for his contemplative and introspective style. The poem was included in his collection "The Way It Is: New and Selected Poems" published in 1998.

Explanation:

"Dream of Now" is a poem that explores the nature of existence and the passage of time. The poem begins by suggesting that life is like a dream, a fleeting and ephemeral experience. The poem describes the beauty of nature, but suggests that even the most beautiful moments are fleeting and will soon be gone.

The second stanza of the poem suggests that the passage of time can be both beautiful and terrifying. The poem suggests that life is a dream that we must awaken from, but that waking up can be a frightening and disorienting experience.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds. The poem's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and contemplative atmosphere, while the poem's structure - two stanzas with varying line lengths - creates a sense of movement and progression.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Structure: Two stanzas with varying line lengths
• Rhyme: None
• Meter: None
• Imagery: Nature, dreams, time
• Metaphor: Life as a dream
• Language: Simple, direct, and accessible
• Tone: Contemplative and reflective
• Theme: The nature of existence, the passage of time

Conclusion:

"Dream of Now" is a poem that invites the reader to contemplate the fleeting and ephemeral nature of existence. Through its contemplative and introspective style, the poem suggests that even the most beautiful moments are fleeting and will soon be gone. The poem encourages us to appreciate the present moment, while also recognizing the inevitability of change and the passage of time.

Poem Snippet:

"When you wake to the dream of now

from night and its other dream

you carry day out of the dark like a flame.

This flame is what you are.

Pass it on”

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