Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

BRIEFLY IT ENTERS, AND BRIEFLY SPEAKS, by JANE KENYON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Briefly It Enters" is a poem by Jane Kenyon, an American poet known for her introspective and simple yet powerful style. The poem was published in 1997 and has since become one of Kenyon's most popular works.

Explanation:

The speaker of the poem reflects on a moment when a bird briefly enters her house, flying through an open door, and then quickly exits. The bird's unexpected presence prompts the speaker to reflect on the transience of life and the fleeting nature of all things.

Poetic Elements:

- Form: The poem consists of three stanzas with varying line lengths, but the overall form is free verse.
- Theme: The theme of the poem is the transience of life and the impermanence of all things.
- Imagery: The image of the bird flying into and out of the house is central to the poem, as it represents the fleeting nature of life.
- Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective.
- Sound: The use of short, simple words and phrases creates a sense of immediacy and reinforces the poem's overall tone.
- Language: The language is plain and straightforward, but there are moments of vivid imagery.
- Structure: The poem's structure is irregular, with varying line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme.
- Symbolism: The bird can be seen as a symbol of the transience of life.
- Emotion: The poem evokes a sense of melancholy and a longing for permanence.

Conclusion:

In "Briefly It Enters," Jane Kenyon uses simple language and vivid imagery to explore the transience of life. Through the image of a bird flying into and out of a house, the poem suggests that life is fleeting and impermanent, and that we should appreciate and cherish every moment.

Poem Snippet:

"My heart,

already unreliable,

knocks clear out of rhythm

as the gold key turns”