Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Days of 1935" is a poem by American poet James Ingram Merrill. It was first published in 1968 and reflects on the themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time.

Explanation:

The poem describes the speaker's reflections on the year 1935, as he contemplates the memories and experiences of his youth. The poem is marked by a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of human experience.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Days of 1935" is a poem written in free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid and evocative imagery, such as the image of the "new Ford" that the speaker's family buys and the "dreaded Sunday School" that he attends.
• Metaphor: The poem uses the metaphor of time to reflect on the themes of memory and the passage of time, underscoring the sense of nostalgia and longing that characterizes the speaker's reflections on his youth.
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time, underscoring the sense of longing and wistfulness that characterizes the speaker's reflections on the fleeting nature of human experience.

Conclusion:

"Days of 1935" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that reflects on the complexities of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and theme, the poem captures the sense of longing and wistfulness that characterizes the speaker's reflections on his youth and the fleeting nature of human experience. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of free verse and the themes of memory and the passage of time.

Poem Snippet:

"Seasons of distant pain and loss,

Would you but stay? But who would pay

For our outworn emotions now?

These scraps we get instead."