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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Poem" by Robert Bly is a deeply evocative piece that invites the reader into a contemplation of the natural world and its profound, often unnoticed, presence in our lives. Through a series of vivid images, Bly captures the essence of the world's quiet, persistent beauty and the subtle ways in which it permeates our existence. The poem is a meditation on the interconnectedness of all things and the layers of life and experience that lie just beyond our immediate perception. The opening line, "There is dust that is near us," immediately draws attention to the omnipresence of the natural world, even in its most microscopic forms. This dust, a symbol of the mundane and overlooked, sets the stage for a journey into the appreciation of the world's quiet wonders. Bly then expands the scope to include "Waves breaking on shores just over the hill," a reminder of the larger, dynamic forces of nature that operate just beyond our direct view. This image of unseen waves breaking suggests the power and persistence of natural processes, their existence a constant despite our awareness or ignorance of them. "Trees full of birds that we have never seen" further emphasizes the richness and diversity of life that surrounds us, much of it remaining unnoticed or unexplored. The mention of "Nets drawn down with dark fish" evokes the depth and mystery of the natural world, hinting at the abundance of life that thrives out of sight, beneath the surface of our understanding. The poem shifts towards the evening's arrival, a daily phenomenon that nonetheless carries a sense of suddenness and surprise: "we look up and it is there." This transition from day to night is portrayed as a natural, enveloping presence that has traversed "through the nets of the stars" and "the tissues of the grass," illustrating the seamless integration of the cosmos, the earth, and all living things. Bly's description of the evening "Walking quietly over the asylums of the water" personifies the dusk as a gentle, unifying force that moves silently across the landscapes of our world. The use of the word "asylums" to describe bodies of water suggests places of refuge and contemplation, highlighting the calming, restorative power of nature. "Poem" is a lyrical invitation to observe and connect with the natural world's subtleties and magnificence. Robert Bly masterfully uses vivid imagery and delicate personification to evoke a sense of wonder and reverence for the beauty that exists at the peripheries of our daily lives. The poem serves as a reminder of the unseen layers of existence and the quiet, enduring presence of nature as a source of solace and inspiration.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PRODIGAL SON by ROBERT BLY IN THE BERKSHIRE HILLS by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE OLD SHIPS by JAMES ELROY FLECKER STONEWALL JACKSON; MORTALLY WOUNDED AT CHANCELLORSVILLE by HERMAN MELVILLE WORKING GIRLS by CARL SANDBURG IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: EPILOGUE by ALFRED TENNYSON TITA'S TEARS; A FANTASY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |
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