Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Burning of Yellowstone" is a poem written by Mona Van Duyn. It was first published in her book "To See, To Take" in 1970. The poem explores the destruction caused by a wildfire in Yellowstone National Park.

Explanation:

The poem starts with an epigraph from a letter by naturalist John Muir, in which he describes the beauty of the park. However, the poem quickly shifts to a description of the wildfire that destroyed the park. The speaker describes the flames as "devouring the park's dry heart", with the animals fleeing in terror. The poem also mentions the firefighters who are trying to contain the blaze, but their efforts seem futile in the face of the raging fire.

As the poem progresses, the speaker contemplates the meaning of the fire. They wonder if it is a natural occurrence or a result of human intervention. The poem ends with the speaker contemplating the aftermath of the fire and the possibility of the park's renewal.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of seven stanzas, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the wildfire, including "flames zigzagging across a mountainside", "tongues of fire", and "a smoke so dense it blocked out the sky".
• Personification: The fire is personified as a destructive force that is "devouring the park's dry heart".
• Allusion: The epigraph at the beginning of the poem is an allusion to John Muir's love for nature and Yellowstone National Park.

Conclusion:

"Burning of Yellowstone" is a powerful poem that explores the destructive force of wildfires and the impact they have on the natural world. The poem raises questions about the cause of the fire and the possibility of renewal. Van Duyn's use of vivid imagery and personification creates a sense of urgency and tragedy, making the poem a poignant commentary on the destructive power of nature.

Poem Snippet:

"Zigzagging up, the flames so fast,

they singed the trees alive, and cast

a smoke so dense it blocked out the sky,

as animals fled or fell to die."

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