Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: The Extermination Camp" 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: The Extermination Camp" is a powerful and harrowing poem that explores the themes of horror, loss, and the struggle for survival in the face of unimaginable brutality. The poem is inspired by the life and death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and resistance fighter who was executed by the Nazis during World War II.

As the speaker contemplates the horrors of the extermination camp, they become increasingly aware of the fragility of human life and the depths of human depravity. However, the poem also contains moments of hope and resilience, as the speaker acknowledges the courage and strength of those who managed to survive.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: The Extermination Camp" 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 "mountain of shoes" and the "smell of burning flesh".
• Tone: The tone of the poem is intense and emotionally charged, with moments of both horror and hope.
• Metaphor: The extermination camp is a metaphor for the depths of human depravity and the fragility of human life.

Conclusion:

"Around Pastor Bonhoeffer: The Extermination Camp" is a deeply moving and haunting poem that explores some of the darkest aspects of human history and the human condition. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of horror and despair, while his exploration of the courage and resilience of those who managed to survive adds depth and nuance to the poem.

Poem Snippet:

"The mountain of shoes

outlasts the steps that wore them

and vanishes like a ripple

in the pool of death.

We stand on the rim,

our toes curling over the edge,

and wonder if the world

will ever be worthy of its children."