Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Failing and Flying" is a poem by Jack Gilbert, an American poet known for his works that explore themes of love, loss, and the human experience. The poem was first published in 2005 in Gilbert's collection of poems titled "Refusing Heaven."

Explanation:

"Failing and Flying" is a poem that reflects on the relationship between success and failure, and on the importance of embracing both as part of the human experience. The speaker of the poem acknowledges the pain and disappointment that come with failure, but argues that it is only through failure that we can truly learn and grow. The poem explores the idea that success and failure are not opposites, but rather two sides of the same coin, and that we must learn to accept and embrace both in order to live a full and meaningful life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse with no consistent rhyme or meter
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the pain and disappointment of failure, as well as the importance of embracing failure as a part of the human experience
• Tone: Reflective and philosophical tone that encourages acceptance and resilience in the face of failure
• Symbolism: Use of the bird as a symbol for the freedom and possibility that come with embracing failure and taking risks.

Conclusion:

"Failing and Flying" is a thought-provoking and inspiring poem that encourages us to embrace failure as an essential part of the human experience. Through the use of vivid imagery, tone, and symbolism, the poem explores the idea that success and failure are not opposites, but rather two sides of the same coin. The poem reminds us that it is only through failure that we can truly learn and grow, and that we must learn to accept and embrace both success and failure in order to live a full and meaningful life. Ultimately, "Failing and Flying" is a poem that invites us to take risks, embrace our failures, and soar to new heights.

Poem Snippet:

Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew.

It's the same when love comes to an end,

or the marriage fails and people say

they knew it was a mistake, that everybody