Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Red Coal" is a poem by American poet Gerald Stern. It was first published in his collection "This Time: New and Selected Poems" in 1998.

Explanation: 

The poem begins with the speaker observing a piece of coal in his hand. He compares the coal to a "heart" and describes it as "a jewel / dark and burning". He then goes on to describe his own experiences with coal, referencing his father who worked in the coal mines, and the feeling of warmth and security that comes with burning coal. The speaker then reflects on the passing of time, and how everything eventually turns to ash.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse and is divided into three stanzas of varying lengths.
• Imagery: The use of imagery is prominent throughout the poem, particularly in the comparisons between the coal and a heart or a jewel.
• Metaphor: The coal is used as a metaphor for life, with the burning coal representing the warmth and comfort that we seek in life.
• Symbolism: The coal is also symbolic of the passage of time, and the inevitability of death.

Conclusion: 

"Red Coal" is a contemplative poem that explores themes of mortality, memory, and the passing of time. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem encourages the reader to reflect on the value of life and the inevitability of death.

Poem Snippet:

"Here is a heart,

black and burning,

set down among the coals

like a chunk of iron"