Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Riprap" is a poem by American poet Gary Snyder, first published in his 1965 collection, "Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems". The poem is widely regarded as one of Snyder's most celebrated and anthologized works.

Explanation:

"Riprap" is a descriptive poem that reflects the poet's experiences of working as a logger in the Pacific Northwest. The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the process of laying riprap, which is a technique used to prevent soil erosion. The poem also explores the themes of nature, work, and man's relationship with the environment.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of five quatrains, with a loose free verse structure.
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of nature, work, and man's relationship with the environment.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid sensory imagery to describe the process of laying riprap, such as "Grappling trees and brush, rocks and gravel, / bulging out into the water."
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative, with a sense of respect and admiration for the natural world.
• Sound: The poem makes use of internal rhyme and alliteration, such as "logs lashed together" and "brush and trees/grapple and hold."
• Language: The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a focus on concrete images and sensory details.
• Figurative Language: The poem makes use of metaphor, such as "bulging out into the water like muscles on an arm."
• Structure: The poem is structured in five quatrains, each with its own distinct imagery and theme.
• Symbolism: The poem's use of riprap as a symbol of man's attempts to control the natural world.
• Emotion: The poem conveys a sense of respect and awe for the natural world, as well as a recognition of the importance of human work in shaping the environment.

Conclusion:

In "Riprap", Gary Snyder uses vivid imagery and a contemplative tone to explore the themes of nature, work, and man's relationship with the environment. The poem is a testament to the importance of human work in shaping the natural world, as well as a reminder of the beauty and power of the environment itself.

Poem Snippet::

"Lay down these words

Before your mind like rocks.

placed solid, by hands

In choice of place, set"