Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Diverne's House" is a poem written by Marilyn Nelson, first published in her 2002 poetry collection, "The Fields of Praise: New and Selected Poems."

Explanation:

The poem describes an encounter between the speaker and an elderly man named Diverne, who invites the speaker into his home. As they sit and talk, the speaker learns about Diverne's life and the many tragedies he has experienced, including the loss of his son and his wife. Despite these hardships, Diverne remains resilient and finds comfort in his memories and the small joys of everyday life.

Poetic Elements:

• Structure: The poem is written in free verse and is divided into six stanzas of varying lengths.
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem does not have a consistent rhyme scheme, but there are occasional rhyming couplets.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid descriptions of Diverne's home and the objects within it, such as the "dark mahogany table" and the "flowery chintz" on the armchair.
• Personification: The speaker personifies the objects in Diverne's home, such as the "grandfather clock" that "listens" and the "fireplace" that "speaks."
• Symbolism: The poem uses the objects in Diverne's home as symbols of his memories and experiences, such as the "stack of books" representing his son's education and the "photograph" of his wife representing his love for her.
• Allusion: The poem alludes to the Greek myth of Tantalus, who was punished for his sins by being forced to stand in a pool of water that receded whenever he tried to drink from it.
• Irony: The poem employs irony in its depiction of Diverne's seemingly mundane surroundings, which are actually rich with meaning and emotional significance.

Conclusion:

"Diverne's House" is a moving portrayal of an elderly man who has experienced great loss but remains resilient and finds comfort in the small joys of everyday life. Through the speaker's interactions with Diverne and the descriptions of his home and belongings, the poem explores themes of memory, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

Poem Snippet:

"In the dim parlor with a dark 

mahogany table, three books 

stacked on top of one another"

"The photograph on the mantelpiece”