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SADNESS, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Donald Justice's poem "Sadness" is an exploration of the pervasive, haunting nature of melancholy that permeates the human experience. The poem, composed of seven stanzas, delves into the depths of familial sorrow, the elusive nature of happiness, and the intrinsic beauty found within sadness itself. Through vivid imagery and introspective reflections, Justice crafts a poignant meditation on the complexities of emotion and memory.

In the opening stanza, Justice addresses "dear ghosts, dear presences, O my dear parents," evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. The sadness of his parents, palpable and mysterious, lingers in the memories of their whispers on porches and the melancholic atmosphere that enveloped their swings. The comparison to the foreboding whispers of leaves before a storm sets a tone of quiet, yet profound, apprehension. This metaphor emphasizes how deeply attuned the speaker was to the subtle shifts in his parents' emotions, much like how one senses an impending storm.

The second stanza transitions to a more specific memory, invoking the image of a fox caught in headlights. This encounter symbolizes confusion and fear, as the headlights reveal the fox, leading their thoughts into a deep, dark thicket. This thicket represents the unknown and the inner turmoil that accompanies it. The repeated motif of turning back reflects the cyclical nature of their fears, suggesting that these emotions are inescapable and deeply rooted.

Justice's exploration of sadness deepens in the third stanza, where he describes the "dark wood" within as a wound that cannot be entirely bandaged. This imagery of a persistent, secret wound highlights the enduring nature of sadness, one that the "sad hand returns to in secret." The lost world, "buried before it could be born," signifies the unfulfilled potential and the dreams that were never realized, further intensifying the sense of loss and regret.

In the fourth stanza, Justice references Charles Burchfield's depiction of the "pinched white souls of violets" at the mouth of a derelict mine. The vivid description of an "evil August night" coming down, umber with a smudge of dusky carmine, paints a sky filled with peculiar sadness. This stanza encapsulates the paradoxical nature of sadness, which exists alongside and perhaps even enhances moments of rare gladness. The natural imagery reinforces the idea that sadness and beauty are intrinsically linked.

Justice then contemplates the nature of happiness in the fifth stanza, recalling "the first small joys" and how his parents would whistle and smile, sometimes for "some secret reason" or simply without needing one. This reflection on fleeting moments of happiness underscores their ephemeral nature and contrasts with the more enduring presence of sadness. The simplicity and innocence of these memories evoke a sense of wistfulness, as they seem distant and unattainable.

The penultimate stanza delves into the darker aspects of childhood memories, where the forest had its eyes, the sea its voices, and there were roads no map could master. These lost roads and moonless nights symbolize the uncharted territories of fear and uncertainty. The imagery of lanterns doubled in the water suggests moments of clarity and reflection amidst the encroaching darkness. This stanza reinforces the idea that even in times of perceived happiness, there are underlying currents of sadness and fear.

In the final stanza, Justice acknowledges the inherent beauty of sadness. As dusk falls, the river darkens and appears bruised, reflecting the bruised and tender nature of life itself. This metaphorical bruising captures the delicate and immense feeling of sadness, which, though painful, possesses its own unique beauty. The few tears that commence are not overwhelming, but they feel immense, capturing the depth of emotion that sadness evokes.

"Sadness" by Donald Justice is a masterful meditation on the intricate interplay between happiness and sorrow, memory and loss. Through evocative imagery and introspective reflections, Justice delves into the profound beauty and enduring presence of sadness, leaving the reader with a poignant sense of the complexities of human emotion.


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