Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Some Dreams Hang in the Air" by Lucille Clifton delves into the ephemeral yet pervasive nature of dreams and their profound impact on the human psyche. This poem, with its vivid imagery and conversational tone, explores the complexity of dreams and how they intertwine with our daily lives, emotions, and memories. Clifton's work is renowned for its ability to convey deep emotional truths and societal critiques through personal and accessible language, and this poem is a testament to her mastery.

The poem opens with a simple yet evocative statement: "some dreams hang in the air like smoke." This simile sets the tone for the entire piece, immediately drawing a parallel between dreams and smoke — both intangible, yet capable of enveloping and affecting everything around them. Dreams, like smoke, are not easily grasped or contained; they linger, fill spaces, and impact the environment in subtle yet undeniable ways.

Clifton then delves into the intimate relationship we have with our dreams, suggesting that "some dreams get all in your clothes and be wearing them more than you do." This metaphor not only illustrates the invasive nature of dreams but also how they can become a part of our identity, sometimes even dominating it. The use of colloquial language, "be wearing them more than you do," emphasizes the personal and ubiquitous nature of these experiences, making the poem resonate with a broad audience.

The poem captures the dichotomy of our interaction with dreams — the simultaneous desire to embrace and to push them away. This ambivalence is depicted through the actions of trying to "hold them and half the time trying to wave them away." Dreams, with their capacity to inspire or haunt, leave us in a state of emotional flux, reflecting the unpredictable and often uncontrollable nature of our deepest hopes and fears.

Clifton further explores the sensory experience of dreams, noting how "their smell be all over you and they get to your eyes and you cry." Here, dreams transcend mere thought and become a physical experience, affecting one's senses to the point of tears. This imagery suggests the profound emotional impact dreams can have, leaving indelible marks on our hearts and minds, akin to the lingering scent of smoke.

The poem concludes by returning to the initial imagery, reinforcing the idea that some dreams persist "like smoke touching everything." The repetition of this simile bookends the poem, emphasizing the pervasive and lasting influence of dreams. The mention of the fire being gone and the wood but the smoke remaining serves as a poignant metaphor for how dreams can outlive the circumstances or desires that birthed them, continuing to affect us long after their origins have faded.

In "Some Dreams Hang in the Air," Clifton uses the metaphor of smoke to explore the intangible, yet powerful presence of dreams in our lives. Through her characteristic use of vivid imagery and conversational language, Clifton captures the complexity of human emotions and the enduring impact of our dreams. The poem is a reflective piece that invites readers to consider the ways in which dreams influence their perceptions, emotions, and realities, touching everything with their presence.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...