Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"How It Goes On" is a poem by Maxine W. Kumin that was first published in her collection "The Long Marriage" in 2001. The poem explores the theme of mortality and the ways in which life continues even after death.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker describing the experience of losing a loved one and the ways in which this loss affects them. The poem then shifts to a more introspective mode, with the speaker reflecting on the nature of death and the ways in which life continues even after we die. The poem also explores the theme of the interconnectedness of all living things and the ways in which we are all part of a larger cycle of life and death.

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 14 lines.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid visual imagery that evokes the speaker's experience of loss and their reflections on the nature of death.
• Metaphor: The poem employs several metaphors to describe the nature of death and the ways in which life continues even after we die, such as the comparison of death to a "dark river" and the description of the speaker's loved one as a "seed" that will continue to grow.
• Theme: The poem explores the theme of mortality and the ways in which life continues even after death, as well as the interconnectedness of all living things and the larger cycle of life and death.

Conclusion:

"How It Goes On" is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the complexities of mortality and the ways in which life continues even after death. The poem's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and introspection creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the speaker, while its underlying theme of the interconnectedness of all living things underscores the importance of recognizing the value and significance of every life.

Poem Snippet:

"how it goes on

in the dust that was a house,

in the crackling of the fire,

in the rush of passing water,

in the growth of a single seed."