Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Aubade: 1925" is a poem by American poet Louis Zukofsky. It was first published in 1965 as part of the collection "Anew". The poem is a reflection on the beauty and innocence of childhood, and how that innocence fades with time. The title, "Aubade," refers to a poem that is meant to be read or sung in the morning, usually about love.

Explanation:

The poem begins by setting the scene of a young child waking up in the morning, and the beauty and stillness of the world around him. The child is innocent and carefree, and the world is a place of wonder and possibility. The speaker notes that the child is not yet aware of the sadness and pain that exists in the world.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the passage of time, and how the innocence and beauty of childhood fades with age. The speaker notes that the child will eventually come to understand the pain and sadness of the world, and that this knowledge will cause him to lose his innocence.

Despite the inevitability of this loss, the speaker holds out hope that the child will be able to retain some of his innocence and wonder. The poem ends on a note of optimism, with the speaker urging the child to hold onto his innocence and to never lose sight of the beauty that exists in the world.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid imagery, such as the "fluttering of wings" and "doves' feathers" in the first stanza, and the "drizzle from street lights" in the third stanza.
• Personification: The speaker personifies the morning, describing it as "stirring" and "ruffling" in the first stanza.
• Symbolism: The child in the poem is a symbol of innocence and purity, while the loss of that innocence represents the harsh realities of the world.

Conclusion:

"Aubade: 1925" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the loss of innocence that comes with it. The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and powerful symbolism, and the speaker's message of hope in the face of inevitable loss is both uplifting and inspiring.

Poem Snippet:

"The morning stirs the fluttering of wings

And ruffles the doves' feathers on the roof.

The light through the shutters is not yet seen

But stirs the child to wakefulness."

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