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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained
THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 4. THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG, by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR Poet Analysis Poet's Biography | |||
"The Hour Between Dog and Wolf: 4. The Hour Between Dog" by Laure-Anne Bosselaar concludes the poignant series with a moment of parting that encapsulates themes of transition, protection, and resistance. The title itself, "The Hour Between Dog and Wolf," is an expression that denotes twilight, a time when the fading light makes it difficult to distinguish between a dog and a wolf, symbolizing the ambiguous space between safety and danger, familiarity and the unknown. The poem opens with the image of Wool Row's roofs turning charcoal with dusk, setting the scene for this significant moment of transition not just in the day, but metaphorically in the speaker's life. Herman's urging, "Ach child, look, it's almost / the hour between dog and wolf: go now, go," carries a sense of urgency and concern. It reflects his protective instinct towards the speaker, emphasizing the need for her to return home before darkness fully settles, and with it, the potential for danger increases. The physical separation from Herman, as the speaker pulls away from "his belly, / the shush of his beard," is laden with emotion. This departure from the safety and comfort of Herman's presence into the encroaching darkness of the evening is marked by a poignant farewell, with the speaker waving at Herman, who is "hunched on the threshold of his shack." Herman's reluctance to make eye contact, "afraid he'll call me / back, afraid I'll stay," speaks volumes about his affection for the speaker and his deep-seated fear for her safety. As the speaker runs through Bruges, the description of "dusk / and sorrow rising from canals like black / mantillas" paints a vivid picture of the city enveloped in the melancholy beauty of twilight. This imagery also ties back to the series' recurring themes of fear and the looming presence of religious dogma, represented by the "vesper bells" that begin to howl "from the darkest side of the sky." The speaker's defiance in the face of the howling bells, "I don't listen, I don't listen," echoes Herman's earlier warnings about the church bells and their symbolic power. This act of resistance signifies the speaker's determination to preserve her own sense of self and autonomy, influenced by Herman's teachings and her experiences with him. "The Hour Between Dog and Wolf: 4. The Hour Between Dog" brings the series to a close with a powerful reflection on the moments that shape us, the people who protect us, and the courage it takes to navigate the spaces between safety and danger. Laure-Anne Bosselaar masterfully captures the complexity of human emotions and relationships, leaving the reader with a profound sense of the impact of mentorship, the beauty of resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LEAVING DELOS by JOHN HOLLANDER THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN STUDY #2 FOR B.B.L. by JUNE JORDAN WATCHING THE NEEDLEBOATS AT SAN SABBA by JAMES JOYCE |
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