Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Strange Hours Travelers Keep" is a poem by August Kleinzahler, first published in his collection of the same name in 2004. The poem speaks of the experiences of a traveler who is unable to sleep in strange and unfamiliar surroundings.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker describing a room where he is trying to sleep, but is unable to due to the unfamiliar surroundings. He then speaks of the sounds he hears outside the window, including the roar of the ocean and the cries of the gulls. The speaker then imagines the lives of the people he sees passing by outside, and wonders about their stories and struggles.

As the night wears on, the speaker becomes more restless and begins to imagine dark and ominous things lurking outside his window. He describes the sound of the wind, which seems to him like the voice of some malevolent force. The poem ends with the speaker accepting his inability to sleep and resigning himself to the strange hours that travelers must keep.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of four stanzas, each comprising varying numbers of lines.
• Imagery: The poem is rich in sensory imagery, particularly in its descriptions of sound, such as the roar of the ocean and the cries of the gulls.
• Personification: The wind is personified as a malevolent force, with its howling being described as a voice.
• Metaphor: The strange hours that travelers must keep are a metaphor for the disorientation and uncertainty that comes with being in unfamiliar surroundings.

Conclusion:

"The Strange Hours Travelers Keep" is a poem that explores the feelings of restlessness and disorientation that can come with travel. Through vivid descriptions of sound and personification of the wind, Kleinzahler creates a haunting and unsettling atmosphere. The poem's metaphorical exploration of the strange hours of travel adds depth to the speaker's experience and suggests a broader commentary on the human experience of navigating unfamiliar terrain.