Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"In Memory of W.H. Auden" is a poem by Gerald Stern that was first published in his collection "American Sonnets" in 2002. The poem is a tribute to the English poet W.H. Auden, who was a major influence on Stern's own work.

Explanation:

The poem is a meditation on the life and work of W.H. Auden. The speaker reflects on Auden's intellectual and artistic legacy, as well as the profound impact that his poetry had on the world. The poem also explores the ways in which Auden's work touched on universal themes and emotions, and how it served as a source of inspiration for the speaker.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The poem consists of a single stanza of 15 lines.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid imagery that evokes the world of Auden's poetry, as well as figurative language such as the description of Auden's work as a "music of the mind."
• Allusion: The poem alludes to several of Auden's most famous poems, including "The Unknown Citizen" and "September 1, 1939."
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of artistic legacy, inspiration, and the power of language to connect people across time and space.

Conclusion:

"In Memory of W.H. Auden" is a deeply personal and reflective poem that pays tribute to a major figure in 20th-century poetry. The poem's use of vivid imagery and allusion creates a sense of connection between the speaker, Auden, and the wider world of poetry, while its underlying themes of legacy and inspiration underscore the emotional impact of Auden's work.

Poem Snippet:

"But it was the music of the mind

I heard,

and what I loved was not

the man but what he said."

COMPARISON WITH  “IN MEMORY OF W.H. AUDEN”  by William Matthews::

Similarities:

• Both poems are tributes to the English poet W.H. Auden and explore the impact that his work had on the speakers. Both poems use vivid imagery and allusion to evoke the world of Auden's poetry and underscore the emotional power of his words. Additionally, both poems explore the themes of artistic legacy, inspiration, and the ability of language to connect people across time and space.

Differences:

• While both poems share similarities in their subject matter and approach, they also differ in significant ways. Matthews's poem is more personal and introspective, exploring the ways in which Auden's work helped him to navigate the complexities of life. Stern's poem, on the other hand, is more meditative and reflective, focusing on Auden's intellectual and artistic legacy and the ways in which his work touched on universal themes and emotions.

Another notable difference is the use of form. Matthews's poem is written in free verse, while Stern's poem is a sonnet, with a more structured rhyme scheme and meter. This difference in form reflects the different approaches that the two poets take in their exploration of Auden's work.

Poem Snippets:

Here are the poem snippets of each poem for comparison:

Matthews:

"I had a map of life, as plain as noon,

unfolded on my bed. Nightly, from books

like Auden's, all the terrors fled

my head."

Stern:

"But it was the music of the mind

I heard,

and what I loved was not

the man but what he said."