Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Song for a Bride" is a poem by Robert Hass, an American poet who served as United States Poet Laureate from 1995 to 1997. The poem is a meditation on the nature of love and the human experience of marriage.

Explanation:

The poem describes the speaker's reflections on love and marriage, and the challenges and joys of sharing a life with someone else. The poem suggests that love is both beautiful and complex, and that it requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to grow and change.

Despite the simplicity of the poem, there is a sense of beauty and depth in Hass's use of language. The poem is filled with vivid and striking imagery that creates a powerful sense of the beauty and complexity of love and marriage.

The poem is a reflection on the human experience of love and the challenges and joys of sharing a life with someone else. It suggests that love is a beautiful and transformative experience, but that it also requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to grow and change.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with eight 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 love and marriage.
• Metaphor: Love and marriage are used as a metaphor for the human experience of intimacy and connection.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, reflecting the beauty and complexity of the subject matter.

Conclusion:

"Song for a Bride" is a powerful and evocative poem that reflects on the nature of love and the human experience of marriage. Hass's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of the beauty and complexity of love and marriage, while also highlighting the challenges and joys of sharing a life with someone else. The poem is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the importance of intimacy and connection in our lives.

Poem Snippet:

"Let this be the best time of your life

and so begin, though every wind is against you;

marry me and let us live together,

happy, in the bright sun of our days."