Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "My Broken Heart" was published in Fanny Howe's collection of poems, "Come and See" in 2011. It explores themes of love, loss, and the fragility of the human heart.

Explanation:

The speaker in the poem reflects on the experience of having a broken heart, describing it as a "mistake" that she "always makes." The poem moves through a series of images and memories, including the taste of honey, the sight of a falling leaf, and the sound of a woman singing. The speaker wonders if there is any way to protect oneself from the pain of love and loss, and ultimately concludes that the only way to avoid heartbreak is to avoid love altogether.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Theme: Love, loss, heartbreak, vulnerability
• Imagery: Honey, falling leaf, woman singing
• Tone: Reflective, melancholy
• Sound: Repetition, alliteration
• Language: Simple and direct, with occasional bursts of figurative language
• Figurative language: "My broken heart is always a mistake", "a small blaze might hold back the night"
• Structure: Divided into short stanzas, with each one focusing on a different image or idea
• Symbolism: The broken heart as a symbol of vulnerability and the pain of love
• Emotion: The poem explores the speaker's feelings of sadness and longing, as well as her fear of being hurt again.

Conclusion:

Fanny Howe's "My Broken Heart" is a poignant exploration of the pain and vulnerability of love. Through a series of vivid images and reflections, the speaker comes to the realization that heartbreak is an inevitable part of love, and that the only way to avoid it is to avoid love altogether. The poem's simple language and structure convey a sense of intimacy and honesty, while its themes and imagery speak to the universal experiences of love and loss.

Poem  Snippet:

"My broken heart is always a mistake

I make again and again.

It is a small blaze

that might hold back the night."