Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Amy Lowell's poem, "A Decade," was published in 1916 and is an example of Lowell's later free-verse poetry. Unlike her earlier Imagist poems, "A Decade" explores much deeper themes and the ups and downs of daily life.

Explanation:

In "A Decade," Amy Lowell reflects on the unpredictability of the passage of time. Through her use of imagery, she illustrates the juxtaposition between fleeting moments of joy and longer stretches of mundane anxiety and suffering that come together to make up life. She also examines the fragility of existence and how each second carries with it the chance to take advantage of the possibilities that life can bring.

Essential Poetic Element:

• Free Verse

Conclusion:

In "A Decade," Amy Lowell's cleverly crafted words capture the complex emotions of both joy and sorrow that accompany life's vicissitudes. She uses her lush imagery to encourage readers to appreciate the moments of life and the potential it holds, allowing them to find comfort in the knowledge that life is a continuous journey that never truly ends.

Poem Snippet:

"The years hasten on,

Nothing can stop them;

We rise and look back,

With a startled cry. "