Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Losses" is a poignant poem by Randall Jarrell, first published in his collection "The Seven-League Crutches" in 1951. The poem captures the feelings of grief and despair that follow the death of a loved one.

Explanation:

The poem begins with a stark depiction of the aftermath of loss: "In the dream / Angus was glad and singing." The dream is a cruel reminder of what has been lost, and the speaker is left with a sense of emptiness and confusion: "And I am not glad. / I am not singing." The second stanza emphasizes the sense of disorientation, as the speaker struggles to make sense of a world that no longer makes sense without their loved one: "The monstrous world has turned / Its face to me... / I am lost in its beauty."

The third stanza introduces a sense of anger, as the speaker lashes out at the world for continuing on as if nothing has changed: "But let the world dream otherwise, / I swear to you by the green of the spring / I am not glad / That the world is so beautiful." The final stanza is a bleak acknowledgment of the reality of loss, as the speaker concludes: "I will forget you / And yet you are all that I wanted / For years. / You are all that I lost."

Poetic Elements:

• The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
• The use of enjambment creates a sense of flow and continuity, even as the speaker's emotions are disjointed and chaotic.
• The imagery is vivid and striking, particularly the description of the "monstrous world" that has turned its face to the speaker.

Conclusion:

"Losses" is a moving exploration of grief and loss, capturing the sense of disorientation and despair that follows the death of a loved one. The poem's use of vivid imagery and enjambment creates a sense of raw emotion, making it a powerful and poignant reflection on the human experience.

Poem Snippet:

"I will forget you

And yet you are all that I wanted

For years.

You are all that I lost."