Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Minor Miracle" is a poem by Marilyn Nelson, an American poet born in 1946. The poem was first published in Nelson's 1995 poetry collection, "The Homeplace."

Explanation:

"Minor Miracle" tells the story of a small but miraculous event that the speaker witnesses while walking through a park. As the speaker is admiring the beauty of nature around her, she sees a spider spinning its web between two trees. Suddenly, a gust of wind blows the spider off course, and it seems that the web will be ruined. However, the spider quickly recovers and resumes spinning the web, creating a beautiful and intricate design. The speaker is amazed by the spider's resilience and determination, and sees it as a small miracle that reminds her of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Form: "Minor Miracle" is written in free verse, which means it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme.

• Imagery: the poem includes vivid descriptions of the spider spinning its web
• Personification: the spider is given human-like qualities, such as "patience" and "determination"
• Metaphor: the spider's web is compared to a "satin ribbon"
• Alliteration: the poem includes several instances of alliteration, such as "sudden shudder," "silver strands," and "silent strength"
• Enjambment: the lines of the poem often run into each other without punctuation, creating a sense of fluidity and continuity
• Tone: the poem has a contemplative and awe-filled tone, reflecting the speaker's sense of wonder at the natural world
• Structure: 

Complete Conclusion:

"Minor Miracle" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that celebrates the resilience and beauty of the natural world. Through the story of the spider spinning its web, the poem encourages us to appreciate the small wonders around us and to find joy and inspiration in the everyday.

Poem Snippet:

"A sudden shudder in the air,/and silver strands tremble everywhere."

"The spider does not seem to know/that anything unusual happened."

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...