Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"At the New Orleans Zoo" is a poem by Mona Van Duyn, first published in her collection titled "Merciful Disguises" in 1973. The poem takes the form of a persona poem, in which the speaker is an observer at the New Orleans zoo.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the peacocks at the zoo, with their vibrant plumage and haughty demeanor. As she walks through the zoo, she comes across a group of baboons, who she observes with a mix of fascination and disgust. The baboons remind her of the darker side of humanity, with their aggression and primitive instincts.

The speaker then turns her attention to the apes, who she sees as a bridge between humans and animals. She describes the apes' intelligence and their ability to communicate with one another, and reflects on the nature of evolution and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The poem concludes with the speaker contemplating the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, as she watches a group of children playing near a pond in the zoo.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "At the New Orleans Zoo" is a free verse poem with no set rhyme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem makes use of vivid imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the peacocks and the baboons. The imagery is used to evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of the zoo.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, as the speaker reflects on the interconnectedness of all living things and the transience of life.
• Persona: The speaker in the poem is an observer at the New Orleans zoo, and the poem is written from her perspective. The use of a persona allows Van Duyn to explore themes such as evolution, the nature of humanity, and the relationship between humans and animals.

Conclusion:

"At the New Orleans Zoo" is a thoughtful and introspective poem that uses vivid imagery and a persona voice to explore the relationship between humans and animals, and the interconnectedness of all living things. Through her observations of the animals at the zoo, the speaker reflects on the nature of humanity, evolution, and the transience of life.

Poem Snippet:

"Shall I tell you about the turtles,

How they go into their shells,

How they plod and slide over stones,

Over grass and under flowers?"

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