Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Portrait" is a poem by American poet Stanley Kunitz. It was first published in his 1960 collection "Selected Poems". 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:

"The Portrait" is a haunting and elegiac poem that explores the theme of memory and loss. The speaker reflects on a portrait of his mother, which he describes as a "ghost" that haunts him with its beauty and sadness. As he contemplates the portrait, he is reminded of his mother's life, and the many hardships she endured, including the loss of her husband at a young age.

The speaker's reflections on his mother's life and legacy become increasingly complex and nuanced as the poem progresses, and he grapples with the contradictions and ambiguities of memory. Ultimately, the poem is a powerful testament to the enduring power of love and connection, even in the face of death and loss.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "The Portrait" 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 "fluttered doves" of the portrait and the "black sea" of the speaker's memories.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is elegiac and mournful, with moments of both sadness and reverence.
• Metaphor: The portrait of the speaker's mother is a metaphor for the enduring power of memory and love.

Conclusion:

"The Portrait" is a deeply moving and elegantly crafted poem that explores some of the most profound themes of the human experience, including memory, loss, and love. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of haunting beauty and sadness, while his exploration of the complexities of memory and legacy adds depth and nuance to the poem.

Poem Snippet:

"The portrait is a door

that opens on a room

that I can never leave.

I stare and stare

and it is I who am gone,

my face

is there at the window,

whitened by the face

that I am looking into."

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