Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Mary Oliver's "Next Time," the poem serves as a meditation on attentiveness and the art of truly experiencing the present moment. The speaker contemplates a different approach to life, one that involves pausing to fully engage with the world, both animate and inanimate. By paying close attention to the elements of eart h, wind, and human interaction, the speaker proposes a more mindful, appreciative way of being that contrasts sharply with the hurried, often superficial interactions that characterize modern life.

The poem begins with the speaker's wish to "look at the earth before saying anything," emphasizing the importance of observing and understanding one's environment before engaging in conversation or action. This pause serves as an emblem of mindfulness, urging the reader to fully occupy each moment. The speaker wishes to "be an emperor for a minute," not in the sense of possessing grand power or control, but in the sense of being fully present and regal in one's attentiveness to the nuances of the world.

The idea of listening "better to the wind or to the air being still" resonates as a call for sensitivity not just to nature but also to the subtleties of human interaction. Oliver notes the complexity of human speech, saying, "I'd watch the face, how the mouth has to work, and see any strain, any sign of what lifted the voice." This observation points to the underlying emotions and motivations that are often left unexplored in our daily exchanges, illustrating the depth of experience that might be accessed through genuine attentiveness.

Oliver uses free verse, keeping the poem flexible and conversational. This form mirrors the open, attentive stance she advocates for. The lack of a set rhyme scheme or meter creates a flow that feels both spontaneous and deeply meditative, allowing the reader to engage more fully with each line and image.

The final lines encapsulate the poem's core philosophy. The speaker would "know more"-not in the intellectual sense, but in the sense of deep, experiential knowledge. She describes "the earth bracing itself and soaring," anthropomorphizing the planet in a way that denotes a profound connection between human beings and the natural world. Similarly, she imagines "the air finding every leaf and feather over forest and water," a picture of air as an active, almost sentient force. Finally, she visualizes "for every person the body glowing inside the clothes like a light," a beautiful, intimate image that captures the essence of humanity.

"Next Time" is a lyrical examination of how we might live more deeply, more fully attuned to the world around us and to each other. It is a call to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, and to recognize the intricate choreography of life that unfolds in every moment, if we only take the time to look.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...