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THE WIND IS BLOWING WEST, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"The Wind is Blowing West" by Joseph Ceravolo is a poem that delves into themes of indecision, the passage of time, and the search for connection and meaning. Ceravolo's work is characterized by its vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and exploration of the human condition through seemingly mundane moments. Through three distinct yet interconnected sections, the poem captures the speaker's internal struggle with choice, the impermanence of moments, and the desire for belonging and understanding.

In the first section, the speaker grapples with the decision to go swimming, contrasting the calmness of the sea with the action taken by other boys. This hesitation and the imagery of waiting in a tent speak to broader themes of uncertainty and the fear of making choices. The mention of a forgotten pail and the questions posed to an absent figure underscore a sense of isolation and longing for guidance or companionship.

The second section shifts the focus to the changing nature of the tide, from "boisterous" to diminishing. The reemergence of the pail and the sand on the speaker's shoulders ground the poem in the tactile experiences of the beach, while the "tin waves" and the fluctuating tide symbolize the transient and sometimes insubstantial nature of our encounters and emotions. The cycle of the tide mirrors the ebb and flow of life's challenges and opportunities.

The third section broadens the scope of the poem to consider existential questions and the human desire for connection and impact. The comparison of daytime to a brain and living to a cricket's song introduces a contemplation of the natural world's role in our understanding of existence. The speaker's longing to give and to be taken reflects a yearning for selflessness and integration with the broader tapestry of life. The repetition of the desire to go swimming, set against the backdrop of a calm sea and the absence of companions, brings the poem full circle, highlighting the enduring struggle with indecision and the quest for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.

Through "The Wind is Blowing West," Joseph Ceravolo captures the complexity of the human experience, weaving together the personal and the universal in a tapestry of vivid imagery and profound longing. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own moments of hesitation, the beauty and pain of transience, and the deep-seated need for connection and understanding in the vastness of the human journey.

POEM TEXT: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/016146816706900303?journalCode=tcza


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