Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Failure of Buffalo to Levitate" is a poem by Robert Hass, an American poet who served as United States Poet Laureate from 1995 to 1997. The poem is a reflection on the nature of failure and the challenges of achieving our goals and dreams.

Explanation:

The poem describes a failed attempt to levitate Buffalo, an act that is both humorous and poignant. The poem suggests that failure is an inevitable part of the human experience, and that we must learn to accept and embrace it in order to grow and move forward.

There is no clear indication in the poem that the buffalo referred to is a reference to the city or the animal. Instead, the poem seems to use the buffalo as a metaphor for the human experience of failure and the challenges of achieving our goals and dreams. The buffalo's failed attempt to levitate can be seen as a reflection of our own failures and the challenges we face in trying to achieve our goals and aspirations. Therefore, while the buffalo in the poem may evoke associations with the animal or the city, it is primarily a symbol of the human condition.

Despite the lighthearted tone of the poem, there is a sense of depth and complexity in Hass's use of language. The poem is filled with vivid and striking imagery that creates a powerful sense of the human experience of failure.

The poem is a reflection on the human experience of failure and the importance of embracing it as a necessary part of growth and development. It suggests that failure is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme, with occasional slant rhymes and assonance.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and striking imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the failed attempt to levitate Buffalo.
• Metaphor: The failed attempt to levitate Buffalo is used as a metaphor for the human experience of failure and the challenges of achieving our goals and dreams.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is lighthearted and humorous, reflecting the absurdity of the situation, but also carries a sense of reflection and acceptance.

Conclusion:

"The Failure of Buffalo to Levitate" is a powerful and evocative poem that reflects on the nature of failure and the challenges of achieving our goals and dreams. Hass's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of the human experience of failure, while also highlighting the importance of embracing it as a necessary part of growth and development. The poem is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the challenges of living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Poem Snippet:

"Buffalo was so tired of the earth,

buffalo was ready to sky.

Buffalo was ready to soar

up, up, beyond the blue sky."