Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Night-Piece" is a poem by Charles Reznikoff, published in his collection "Going To and Fro and Walking Up and Down" in 1941.

Explanation:

"Night-Piece" is a short poem that explores the experience of being awake at night, with the world around the speaker asleep. The poem begins with the line "The moon is out," which sets a quiet, contemplative tone. The speaker observes the moon and the stars, and the shadows they cast on the ground. The poem then turns inward, with the speaker reflecting on their own thoughts and feelings. The final lines of the poem suggest a sense of isolation and loneliness, with the speaker feeling separate from the world around them.

Reznikoff's language is spare and direct, with a focus on simple, everyday words. This creates a sense of universality, as the experience of being awake at night is one that many people can relate to.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Night-Piece" is a short, free-verse poem, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: Reznikoff's use of imagery creates a vivid sense of the world around the speaker at night, with the moon and stars casting shadows on the ground.
• Tone: The poem has a quiet, contemplative tone, with a sense of isolation and loneliness.

Conclusion:

"Night-Piece" is a short but powerful poem that explores the experience of being awake at night, with the world around the speaker asleep. Reznikoff's spare, direct language and focus on simple, everyday words create a sense of universality, as the experience of being awake at night is one that many people can relate to. The poem is a testament to Reznikoff's skill as a poet, and to his ability to capture complex emotions with simplicity and clarity.

Poem Snippet:

"The moon is out;
the stars are out,
And further off the city of the dead
lies sleeping."