Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"After Lorca" is a poem by Robert Creeley that was first published in 1959. The poem is a tribute to the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, who was executed during the Spanish Civil War.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on Lorca's life and work, noting the beauty and power of his poetry. The poem then shifts to a more personal focus, as the speaker reflects on the nature of poetry itself and its ability to capture the human experience. The poem ends with the speaker expressing a sense of admiration for Lorca's ability to find beauty and meaning in a world marked by violence and tragedy.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is structured as a series of short stanzas that build on one another, with a clear narrative arc.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid sensory imagery that emphasizes the beauty and power of Lorca's poetry, as well as the violence and tragedy of the Spanish Civil War. The imagery is often stark and evocative, highlighting the intense emotions and experiences that Lorca captured in his work.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reverential and admiring, with a sense of awe and wonder underlying the speaker's words. The poem emphasizes the importance and power of poetry, as well as the ability of artists like Lorca to find beauty and meaning in a world marked by violence and tragedy.
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of poetry, beauty, violence, and tragedy. The poem highlights the power of poetry to capture the human experience and find meaning in a world marked by violence and tragedy. The poem also pays tribute to Lorca as a master of this art, who was able to find beauty and meaning in even the darkest of circumstances.

Conclusion:

"After Lorca" is a powerful and evocative tribute to the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. The poem highlights the beauty and power of Lorca's poetry, as well as the violence and tragedy of the Spanish Civil War. The poem is also a reflection on the nature of poetry itself and its ability to capture the human experience. Ultimately, the poem is a tribute to Lorca's ability to find beauty and meaning in a world marked by violence and tragedy, and a reminder of the importance of art in helping us to navigate the complexities of the human experience.

Poem Snippet:

"these things

are important: that you will come

to the fountain finally

in another land"