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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

UNABLE TO FIND, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Unable to Find" by Laure-Anne Bosselaar unfolds as a tender, introspective journey through the seemingly mundane yet profoundly intimate moments shared between two people. This poem, imbued with a sense of quiet contemplation and gentle exploration, invites readers into the private world of the speaker and their companion, navigating the intricacies of connection, routine, and the search for meaning within the simplicity of daily life.

The poem commences with an image that is both ordinary and evocative: the struggle to leave the comfort of bed, a universal experience that Bosselaar elevates into a moment of shared hesitation and potential. The dawn cutting "into thin slices" is a vivid metaphor for the breaking of a new day, slicing through the darkness, suggesting both the passage of time and the opportunities that each new day brings. This moment of transition, from night to day, from sleep to wakefulness, is depicted as delicate and ephemeral, mirroring the transient nature of human experiences and relationships.

As the poem progresses, the speaker suggests leaving the room to have breakfast out, a simple yet significant act that represents a departure from the routine and the familiar. The specificity of the breakfast order—two eggs, two toast, two coffees—black, later changed to lattés, underscores the importance of small choices and preferences in the construction of shared experiences. The act of reading the paper together and being moved by the story of a man rescuing his cat from the rubble speaks to the human capacity for empathy and connection, not only with each other but with the broader tapestry of life and survival.

The playful engagement with hangman on paper napkins serves as a metaphor for the larger game of life, where words and meanings are negotiated, and endings are inevitable, yet there is beauty in the momentary engagement, the shared laughter, and the temporary escape from life's complexities.

The suggestion to step inside a church and witness life's significant ceremonies—weddings, christenings, masses for the dead—without fully participating in them (leaving before the last amen) reflects a profound observation about human existence. It suggests a desire to connect with the communal and the sacred while maintaining a sense of detachment, an acknowledgment of life's milestones and the passage of time without fully immersing oneself in the rituals that define them.

The decision to take the long way home and make plans for the future, for summer and winter, symbolizes the journey of life itself—meandering, unpredictable, but rich with potential and the promise of shared experiences. It is a commitment to continue exploring, dreaming, and finding beauty in the ordinary, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and companionship.

"Unable to Find" is a poignant meditation on the search for meaning and connection in a world filled with both the mundane and the miraculous. Through the lens of a simple morning routine, Bosselaar captures the essence of human existence—the joys, the sorrows, the fleeting moments of connection that define our lives. The poem's structure, with its lack of strict form, mirrors the fluidity of life, the way moments flow into one another, each with its own weight and significance. The style, marked by vivid imagery and a gentle, introspective tone, invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and the quest for meaning in the everyday. In "Unable to Find," Bosselaar offers a reminder of the beauty that lies in the simplicity of shared moments, the comfort of routine, and the endless possibilities that each new day brings.

POEM TEXT: https://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php%3Fdate=2012%252F02%252F12.html


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