Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Flight in the Desert" is a poem by William Everson that was first published in his collection "Archetype West: The Pacific Coast as a Literary Region" in 1976. The poem describes a journey through the desert and explores the theme of the transformative power of nature.

Explanation:

The poem describes a journey through the desert, with the speaker and a companion traveling through the barren landscape. The speaker reflects on the ways in which the desert has transformed them and the ways in which nature can change us. The poem also explores the theme of the importance of recognizing our place within the larger natural world and the ways in which nature can guide us on our journeys.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The poem consists of four stanzas of varying lengths.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid visual imagery that evokes the desert landscape, as well as emotional imagery that describes the speaker's feelings of transformation.
• Metaphor: The journey through the desert serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of nature.
• Theme: The poem explores the theme of the transformative power of nature and the importance of recognizing our place within the larger natural world, as well as the ways in which nature can guide us on our journeys.

Conclusion:

"The Flight in the Desert" is a powerful and contemplative poem that explores the complexities of the natural world and the ways in which it can transform us. The poem's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and introspection creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the natural world, while its underlying themes of the transformative power of nature and the importance of recognizing our place within the larger natural world underscore the value of seeking guidance from nature on our journeys.

Poem Snippet:

"and in the empty wastes of the desert

we have found the root of all living,

and the source of our own lives

flowing like water from the hills."