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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Living at the End of Time" by Robert Bly is a reflective and multifaceted poem that navigates through themes of innocence, discontent, hope, and the mysteries of existence. Bly juxtaposes the simplicity and purity found in the natural and the everyday with a deeper, existential questioning, creating a rich tapestry of human experience that acknowledges both the beauty and the perplexity of life. The poem opens with an appreciation of the sweetness in children's voices, a symbol of innocence and new beginnings. This is contrasted with the "discontent at the end of day," suggesting a universal human experience of dissatisfaction or longing that emerges as the day ends. The satisfaction derived from the sound of a passing train introduces a motif of movement and transition, perhaps alluding to the passage of time or the journey of life itself. Bly's inclusion of seemingly unrelated elements, such as the inexplicable crying of a rooster, the behavior of elephants, and Nathaniel Hawthorne's auditory hallucinations of trains at night, serves to highlight the complexity and the inexplicable aspects of life. These elements suggest that there are phenomena and experiences beyond our understanding or explanation, contributing to the poem's exploration of the mysteries that envelop human existence. The poem then shifts to explore themes of gifts and blessings, wounds and inheritances, using vivid imagery to convey the idea that life is a tapestry of both joy and suffering. The notion that "a handsome child is a gift from God" and "a friend is a vein in the back of the hand" speaks to the invaluable nature of relationships and the interconnectedness of human lives. Conversely, "a wound is an inheritance from the wind" implies that suffering and pain are also part of the human condition, often arriving unexpectedly and shaping our experiences. Amidst discussions of an apocalyptic "end of time," Bly offers a counter-narrative of renewal and continuity. The "thousand pagan ministers" arriving to "baptize the wind" symbolize a rejuvenation of spirit and a cyclical view of time, where endings are closely followed by new beginnings. This perspective challenges the finality of an "end of time," suggesting instead a perpetually renewing world where hope and renewal are always possible. The poem closes by revisiting the earlier motifs and asserting a sense of acceptance in the face of the unknown. The acceptance of not understanding the rooster's cry or the reason behind the satisfaction felt at the sound of a train encapsulates a broader acceptance of life's mysteries. Bly suggests that it's alright not to have all the answers, to live with the questions, and to find contentment in the simple, inexplicable joys of life. "Living at the End of Time" is a contemplative piece that weaves together the ordinary and the profound, encouraging readers to find beauty and meaning in both the simple pleasures of life and its inevitable mysteries. Through his thoughtful and layered exploration of human experience, Bly invites readers to embrace the complexities of existence with acceptance and hope.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PRODIGAL SON by ROBERT BLY TO -, WITH A ROSE by SIDNEY LANIER DOMESDAY BOOK: AT FAIRBANKS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE LIVING STARS by GEORGE SANTAYANA BOSTON COMMON: 1774 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES TO MY NINETH DECADE by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR BURIAL OF THE MINNISINK by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW HUGH SELWYN MAUBERLEY: 1. E.P. ODE POUR L'ELECTION DE SON SEPULCHRE by EZRA POUND |
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