Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Things That Have Been Lost" by Yehuda Amichai is a reflective poem that delves into the nature of memory and loss, exploring how the past continues to resonate in the present. The poem is characterized by a sense of nostalgia and a longing for what has been irretrievably lost.

The opening lines, "From newspaper columns and notice boards / I find out about things that have been lost," serve as a metaphor for the way we come to know about the past. The mention of "newspaper columns and notice boards" suggests a public, communal space where personal losses are shared and announced. This sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the universal experience of loss.

The subsequent lines, "This way I know what people had / And what they love," highlight the intimate connection between loss and love. What people lose is indicative of what they hold dear, and this connection offers a poignant insight into the human condition. The poem implies that understanding loss is a way to understand what is valued in life.

The personal turn in the poem, "Once my tired head fell / On my hairy chest and there I found my father's smell / Again, after many years," introduces a deeply personal and sensory memory. This moment captures the essence of how memories can be triggered unexpectedly, bringing back a flood of emotions and sensations. The reference to the father's smell evokes a powerful and intimate memory, connecting the poet to his past and his roots.

The comparison of memories to someone who "can't go back to Czechoslovakia / Or who is afraid to return to Chile" suggests the complexities of revisiting the past. These places, possibly alluding to historical contexts of loss and displacement, represent memories that are either inaccessible or too painful to revisit. This analogy speaks to the nature of memory as something that can be both a refuge and a source of pain.

The closing image of "The white vaulted room / With the telegram / On the table" is striking in its simplicity and ambiguity. This scene, frozen in time, suggests a moment of significant news or revelation, perhaps related to loss. The telegram, an object often associated with urgent and impactful messages, especially in historical contexts, adds to the sense of a pivotal moment captured in memory.

Overall, "Things That Have Been Lost" is a contemplative poem that examines the relationship between memory, loss, and identity. Amichai uses vivid imagery and personal reflection to convey the enduring impact of the past on the present, and the ways in which what we have lost continues to define us.

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