Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Witches" is a poem by James Tate, first published in his 1972 collection "The Oblivion Ha-Ha". The poem takes a humorous and fantastical look at the world of witches and their activities.

Explanation: The poem opens with the speaker describing a group of witches gathering for a meeting, complete with broomsticks and cauldrons. The speaker then describes the various activities that the witches engage in, including casting spells, dancing, and reciting incantations.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more involved in the activities of the witches, and begins to experience the joys and thrills of this secret world. The poem ends with the speaker declaring his love for the witches and their magical ways, and expressing his desire to join their ranks.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Witches" is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. This form allows Tate to experiment with language and imagery, and to create a sense of whimsy and playfulness in the poem.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with imaginative and fantastical imagery, including witches riding broomsticks, casting spells, and reciting incantations. These images serve to create a sense of wonder and enchantment in the poem.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is one of humor and playfulness, as the speaker takes a lighthearted and irreverent look at the world of witches and their activities. However, the poem also contains moments of wonder and awe, as the speaker becomes more involved in the magical world of the witches.
• Irony: The poem contains a strong element of irony, as the speaker begins by describing the witches as "weird" and "ugly", but ends up declaring his love for them and their magical ways.

Conclusion:

"Witches" is a playful and imaginative poem that takes a humorous look at the world of witches and their activities. Through its use of imaginative imagery and playful language, the poem creates a sense of wonder and enchantment, while also exploring themes of acceptance and the search for belonging.

Poem Snippet:

"The witches gather in the moonlight,

riding their broomsticks and casting their spells,

laughing and dancing and reciting incantations,

in a world of magic and wonder and delight."