Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "After Basho," Carolyn Kizer offers a concise and evocative poem, encapsulating a moment of natural beauty and a nuanced homage to the renowned haiku master Matsuo Basho. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in imagery and subtle implications, demonstrating Kizer's ability to capture a scene and its underlying emotions with precision.

The poem opens with the word "Tentatively," suggesting a delicate and cautious approach. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, hinting at both the literal and metaphorical aspects of the moon's appearance. The use of "slip onstage" invokes the imagery of a performer making a quiet and graceful entrance, aligning the celestial with the theatrical. This anthropomorphism of the moon imbues it with a sense of vulnerability and humility, as if it is aware of its own grandeur and the expectations placed upon it.

"Slipping onstage" also connotes a sense of fluidity and ease, mirroring the natural movement of the moon as it rises in the sky. This transition from day to night is portrayed as a performance, with the moon taking its place as the central figure in the nocturnal tableau. The moon's "pallid" description emphasizes its pale and subdued appearance, reflecting its borrowed light from the sun and enhancing the quiet, almost hesitant nature of its emergence.

The phrase "famous moon" acknowledges the moon's long-standing significance in literature, mythology, and art. It is an entity that has been celebrated and revered across cultures and centuries, its fame stemming from its consistent presence and its impact on the human imagination. By calling the moon "famous," Kizer nods to this rich tradition, while also infusing the poem with a sense of familiarity and recognition.

The poem's brevity is a direct homage to Basho, whose haikus are known for their economy of language and depth of meaning. Basho's influence is evident in Kizer's ability to convey a profound sense of atmosphere and emotion within a limited number of words. The moon's tentative entrance can be seen as a metaphor for the careful and deliberate construction of a haiku, where each word is chosen with precision to create a lasting impression.

"After Basho" also evokes a sense of timelessness, as the moon's appearance is a nightly occurrence, yet each sighting is unique and transient. This duality mirrors the essence of haiku, which captures fleeting moments of beauty and significance. Kizer's poem invites the reader to pause and appreciate the quiet majesty of the moon, much like Basho's works encourage mindfulness and a deep connection with the natural world.

In conclusion, "After Basho" by Carolyn Kizer is a masterful example of how a few carefully chosen words can evoke a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion. The poem pays tribute to the haiku tradition and Basho's legacy, while also offering a fresh and poignant portrayal of the moon's nightly performance. Through its simplicity and elegance, Kizer's poem invites readers to contemplate the beauty and significance of the natural world, as well as the enduring power of poetic expression.