Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"When We With Sappho" is a poem by Kenneth Rexroth, an American poet known for his works that explore themes of love, nature, and the human experience. Rexroth was born in 1905 in Indiana and has written numerous books of poetry, including "When We With Sappho," which was first published in 1959.

Plot Explanation:

The poem "When We With Sappho" is a meditation on the power of love and the beauty of the natural world. The poem describes the speaker's imagined conversations with the ancient Greek poet Sappho, in which they discuss the nature of love and the beauty of the natural world. The poem also touches on the idea that the pursuit of love and beauty is an ongoing process that transcends time and place.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse with no consistent rhyme or meter
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the natural world and the speaker's imagined conversations with Sappho
• Tone: Meditative tone that explores the power of love and the beauty of the natural world
• Allusion: Allusion to Sappho, an ancient Greek poet known for her lyric poetry on love and beauty

Conclusion:

"When We With Sappho" is a lyrical and reflective poem that celebrates the power of love and the beauty of the natural world. Through the use of vivid imagery, tone, and allusion, the poem portrays the speaker's imagined conversations with Sappho as a reminder that the pursuit of love and beauty is an ongoing process that transcends time and place. The poem challenges us to embrace the power of love and to find beauty in the natural world that surrounds us.

Poem Snippet:

When we with Sappho,

walked hand in hand

through the gardens of Lesbos,

the stars were just as bright