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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

AMONG GRASS, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Among Grass" is a contemplative piece that explores themes of existence, memory, and the delicate boundary between life and death. Through evocative imagery and a reflective tone, the poem captures a moment of stillness and introspection, inviting the reader to ponder the nature of being and the persistence of memory.

The poem begins with the speaker lying "here among grass," immediately setting a scene of tranquility and natural surroundings. The question "am I dead am I sleeping" introduces a sense of ambiguity and disorientation, blurring the lines between different states of consciousness. The speaker’s uncertainty about their state of being suggests a liminal space, a place where the boundaries between life and death, wakefulness and sleep, are indistinct.

"amazed among silences you touch me never" further emphasizes the isolation and introspection of the speaker. The use of "amazed" conveys a sense of wonder or bewilderment, while "among silences" highlights the profound quietude of the moment. The phrase "you touch me never" suggests an absence of physical contact or connection, reinforcing the theme of isolation.

"Here deep under, the small white moon / cries like a dime and do I hear?" introduces a celestial element, with the moon symbolizing a distant, perhaps unattainable, presence. The comparison of the moon's cry to a dime suggests something small and metallic, hinting at a sense of coldness or detachment. The speaker's uncertainty about whether they can hear the moon’s cry reflects their overall sense of confusion and disconnection.

"The sun gone copper or I dissolve / no touch no touch a tactless land" paints a vivid picture of a transforming world. The sun, typically associated with life and warmth, has turned copper, indicating a change or decline. The repetition of "no touch no touch" underscores the absence of physical sensation or connection, while "a tactless land / denies my death my fallen hand" suggests a world indifferent to the speaker’s state, refusing to acknowledge their existence or demise.

"silence runs down the riverbeds / One tall wind walks over my skin" introduces natural elements that interact with the speaker. The flowing silence down the riverbeds conveys a sense of movement and continuity, while the "tall wind" walking over the speaker's skin suggests a subtle, almost ghostly touch. These images enhance the poem's atmosphere of quiet reflection and gentle interaction with the natural world.

The lines "breeze, memory / bears to my body (as the world fades) / going in" capture the interplay between memory and the physical sensation of the breeze. As the world fades, the speaker becomes more introspective, with memories bearing down on their body. The parenthetical phrase "(as the world fades)" highlights the gradual dissolution of the external world, focusing attention inward.

"very late in the world’s night to see roses opening / Remember, love, lying among roses. / Did we not lie among roses?" shifts the focus to a specific memory of love and beauty. The image of roses opening late in the world's night suggests a moment of unexpected beauty and renewal even in the darkest times. The repetition of "lying among roses" emphasizes the significance of this memory, suggesting a moment of profound connection and peace.

In summary, "Among Grass" by Muriel Rukeyser is a contemplative exploration of existence, memory, and the boundary between life and death. Through its evocative imagery and reflective tone, the poem invites readers to ponder the nature of being and the persistence of memory, capturing a moment of stillness and introspection amidst the natural world.


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