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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Alteration" by Hayden Carruth is a succinct and poignant reflection on the nature of aging and the inevitability of change. Through a simple, yet profound structure, Carruth encapsulates the universal human experience of confronting the passage of time and the modifications it brings to our lives, bodies, and perceptions. The poem opens with a common misconception about aging—that it merely involves a gradual decline in physical abilities ("going a little slower, / walking a little lame"). This belief suggests a linear and predictable progression of time, where each day is a slightly diminished version of the one before. However, Carruth quickly undermines this notion, pointing out that aging, and life itself, is not merely a series of physical alterations but a deeper, more complex transformation. The second stanza introduces the concept of "alteration" as the constant in human existence. The word "alteration" implies more than just change; it suggests a fundamental reshaping of one's being and circumstances. Carruth's assertion that "alteration is what we keep" speaks to the idea that change is the only permanence we have. This philosophical observation highlights the transient nature of life and the futility of clinging to any moment, belief, or aspect of our physical selves as if it were immutable. The final lines, "tonight will not be the equal / of last night, even in sleep," serve as a poignant reminder of life's unpredictability and the constant flux of our experiences. Even in sleep, a state often thought of as a return to a baseline of existence, there is variation and change. These lines underscore the poem's meditation on the inevitability of alteration, challenging the reader to acknowledge and perhaps embrace the unpredictable nature of life and the aging process. "Alteration" employs a concise and straightforward language, yet it opens up vast spaces for reflection on the human condition. Carruth's ability to distill complex emotional and existential realities into a few lines demonstrates the power of poetry to articulate universal truths. Through this poem, Carruth invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of aging, change, and the continuity of self amidst the ceaseless flow of time.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CITY IN WHICH I WAS BORN WAS DESTROYED BY CANNON by YEHUDA AMICHAI AT FIRST I WAS GIVEN by MARGARET ATWOOD THE WORLD'S A STAGE by HILAIRE BELLOC LEARNING TO TALK by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE NEWBORN by CECIL DAY LEWIS SOMEBODY'LL HAV' TO SHOOT YA DOWN' by NORMAN DUBIE AFTER THREE PHOTOGRAPHS OF BRASSAI by NORMAN DUBIE THE OPEN HAPPENS IN THE MIDST OF BEINGS; MARTIN HEIDEGGER by NORMAN DUBIE I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A REAL HARD TIME BEFORE' by HAYDEN CARRUTH |
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