Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"This Time" is a poem by American poet Gerald Stern. It was first published in his collection of poetry, "American Sonnets" in 2002.

Explanation: 

The poem is a meditation on the passage of time and how it affects the human experience. The speaker reflects on his life, noting that he has lived through many wars and seen many terrible things, but he has also experienced beauty and love. The poem contemplates the inevitability of death and the desire to hold onto life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no specific rhyme or meter. It consists of five stanzas of varying length.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's thoughts and emotions. For example, the speaker describes the "green blur" of leaves, the "black silk" of night, and the "thin white scarf" of mist.
• Symbolism: The poem employs a number of symbols, such as the "white scarf" of mist and the "bright blue" of the sky, to convey the speaker's thoughts on the transience of life.
• Tone: The poem has a melancholy tone, reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

Conclusion: 

"This Time" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the transience of life. The poem's use of vivid imagery and symbolism conveys the speaker's sense of loss and longing, while its free verse form reflects the fluidity of time. The poem's melancholy tone is tempered by a sense of acceptance and a recognition of the beauty of life.

Poem Snippet:

"This time I came to the sea

and its foam bore up my hand

as if it had been waiting for me

all these years"