Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a poem by American poet Stanley Kunitz. It was first published in his 1978 collection "The Poems of Stanley Kunitz, 1928-1978". Kunitz was a highly respected American poet who served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress twice, and won several awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

Explanation:

"Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of faith, mortality, and the human condition. The poem is inspired by the life and work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and resistance fighter who was executed by the Nazis during World War II.

As the speaker contemplates Bonhoeffer's life and legacy, they become increasingly aware of the ways in which the struggle for faith and meaning are intertwined with the struggle for justice and compassion in the world. The poem ends on a note of both sadness and hope, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death but also finds solace in the idea that our lives can continue to have meaning and purpose long after we are gone.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme or meter scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid, sensory images, such as the "desolate city" and the "blackened pages" of history.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and mournful, with moments of both despair and hope.
• Metaphor: Bonhoeffer's life and legacy are a metaphor for the struggle for faith and justice in the world, while the idea of the "next to last things" represents the inevitability of mortality.

Conclusion:

"Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: Next to Last Things" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most profound aspects of the human experience, including faith, mortality, and the struggle for justice and compassion in the world. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of both beauty and sadness, while his exploration of the ways in which our lives can continue to have meaning and purpose long after we are gone adds depth and nuance to the poem.

Poem Snippet:

"And yet, when all the blackbirds

fly from the desolate city

into the smoldering pages

of the next cataclysm,

we shall still be here,

our faces turned toward the West,

listening for the lost voice

of the cranes returning."