Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Appointment" is a poem by Louis Simpson, first published in 1965 as part of his collection "At the End of the Open Road." It is a short but powerful poem that explores themes of mortality and the passing of time.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker receiving an appointment for a meeting, which he realizes is with death. He reflects on the inevitability of death, comparing it to the changing seasons and the natural order of the universe. The speaker muses on what he will wear to the appointment, suggesting that his clothing doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. He ends the poem by acknowledging that he will keep the appointment, but in the meantime he will continue to live his life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of five stanzas, each with three lines.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, with a touch of resignation.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the changing seasons and the natural world.
• Symbolism: The appointment with death serves as a powerful symbol for the inevitability of mortality.

Conclusion:

"The Appointment" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores the universal theme of mortality. Its use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism helps to convey the message that death is an inevitable part of life, and that we must come to terms with it in our own way.

Poem Snippet:

"I looked at my appointment book.

I thought I had forgotten

The time of the meeting with death."