|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Days We Would Rather Know" by Michael Blumenthal is a poignant reflection on the human condition, touching upon themes of regret, beauty, love, and the impermanence of desire. This poem navigates the complexities of the choices we make and the lives we lead, juxtaposed against the backdrop of an idealized existence that always seems to elude our grasp. Blumenthal uses vivid imagery and philosophical inquiry to explore the nature of beauty, the constructs of marriage, and the pursuit of a fulfillment that remains just beyond reach. The poem opens with a contemplation of the human tendency to yearn for alternatives to our current circumstances, epitomized by the thought of a different partner we might have chosen or a different path we might have walked. Blumenthal encapsulates this sentiment in the phrase "in that severe nowness time pushed, imperfectly, to then," highlighting the relentless march of time that solidifies our choices into an irrevocable past. This reflection sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how we perceive and value beauty and commitment. Blumenthal's reference to standing before Rembrandt's "Juno" in a museum serves as a metaphor for the subjective nature of beauty and the doubt that accompanies our judgments and desires. The question of whether we stand before beauty itself or merely a consensus about what constitutes beauty challenges the reader to consider the foundations of their own aesthetic and emotional convictions. This uncertainty extends to the institution of marriage, suggesting that our commitments are also subject to the shifting sands of perception and societal agreement. The imagery of the ginkgo tree, with leaves likened to "a million gold coins no one had the sense to claim," evokes a sense of missed opportunities and unclaimed potential. This natural phenomenon becomes a symbol for the fleeting moments of beauty and possibility that go unnoticed or unappreciated in our daily lives. Yet, the poem suggests that there are days when the alignment of beauty, love, and contentment seems possible, when the world and our choices within it appear in harmonious concord. Despite the yearning for different days and the underlying fear of having made the wrong choices, the speaker admits to a fundamental simplicity and fear at the core of their being. This admission leads to an embrace of the present, however imperfect it may be. The act of tightening arms around the loved one and whispering "beautiful beautiful" before "Juno" is an affirmation of the choice to find and declare beauty in the now, in the person and the moment that one has chosen. The concluding action of sweeping up the ginkgo leaves as "something to keep for a better tomorrow" symbolizes a hopeful gesture towards preserving the potential for beauty and fulfillment, even as it acknowledges the elusive nature of the "days we would rather know that never come." This act is both a concession to the imperfections of the present and a quiet rebellion against the resignation to unfulfilled desires. "Days We Would Rather Know" invites the reader to reflect on the beauty and imperfection of the present moment, the subjective nature of our desires, and the complex interplay between reality and the idealized visions of life we harbor. Through its lyrical exploration of these themes, the poem offers a nuanced meditation on the human pursuit of happiness, meaning, and the acceptance of life's inherent uncertainty and imperfection.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NIGHT [NICHT] IS NEAR [NIGH] GONE by ALEXANDER MONTGOMERIE A SLUMBER SONG by A. HOLCOMBE AIKEN EPITAPH ON FRANCIS CHARTRES by JOHN ARBUTHNOT EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 35. PERSEVERE by PHILIP AYRES PSALM 133 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE FLOWERING TREE by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES |
| |