Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Attention of Hymen" is a poem by Karl Shapiro that was published in his collection "The Bourgeois Poet" in 1964. The poem explores the complex emotions of a bride as she prepares for her wedding day and contemplates the significance of the commitment she is about to make.

Explanation:

The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the bride's preparations for her wedding day and the second part exploring her emotional turmoil as she contemplates the meaning of the ceremony. The bride is depicted as both excited and apprehensive, reflecting on her past and contemplating her future. The poem explores themes of love, commitment, and the complexities of human relationships.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse with irregular line lengths and no set rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid sensory imagery to create a sense of time and place, as well as to convey the emotions of the bride.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, with a sense of emotional turmoil and vulnerability.

Conclusion:

"Attention of Hymen" is a poignant exploration of the complex emotions of a bride as she prepares for her wedding day. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, Shapiro captures the sense of excitement, apprehension, and emotional turmoil that come with making a commitment to another person. The poem speaks to the universality of human emotions and the complexity of human relationships.

Poem Snippet:

"Then she knew

The attention of Hymen

Is like a mountain wind,

That can change to a soft

Kiss from a breeze

In a moment."