Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Wiedersehen" is a poem by Miller Williams that explores the themes of loss and memory. The poem was published in his 1975 collection, "Living on the Surface."

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream in which he sees someone he loved and lost. The dream is vivid and detailed, with the speaker recognizing the person's face and voice. The speaker notes that the dream feels both real and surreal, with the person seeming to exist in a realm between life and death.

The poem then shifts to reflect on the nature of memory and the power it holds to connect us to those we have lost. The speaker notes that memories can serve as a source of comfort and solace, allowing us to hold onto the people we have loved even as they are gone.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of two stanzas, each with five lines.
• Imagery: "The face and voice that once were all the world to me," "The darkness and the dream, forever intermixed"
• Metaphor: "The dead have vanished into their own stories"
• Personification: "The stories do not end"

Conclusion:

"Wiedersehen" is a haunting exploration of loss and memory. The poem captures the power of memory to connect us to those we have lost, even as we are left to navigate the darkness and uncertainty of life without them. The poem's vivid imagery and poignant metaphors offer a powerful meditation on the nature of grief and the resilience of the human spirit.

Poem Snippet:

"The dead have vanished into their own stories,

And the stories do not end."