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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Old Men," by Kenneth Fearing, is a contemplative poem that explores the world of elderly men, juxtaposing their external realities with the rich, internal landscapes of their dreams and memories. Fearing uses vivid imagery and rhythmic verse to illustrate the contrast between the monotony of old age and the warm dreams that sustain them. The poem opens with a stark description of their external world: "They are the raw, monotonous skies, / The faded placards and iron rails / Passed by in narrow streets of rain." The "raw, monotonous skies" convey a sense of bleakness and routine, while "faded placards and iron rails" suggest neglect and decay. The "narrow streets of rain" enhance the imagery of confinement and dreariness. This description sets the stage for the external reality that the old men navigate daily. Fearing then shifts to describe their presence and voices: "Theirs are the indistinct thin cries / Heard in a long sleep that fails / In strange confusion and numb pain." The "indistinct thin cries" suggest voices that have lost their vitality, and "a long sleep that fails" implies restless nights troubled by confusion and pain. The imagery of "numb pain" captures the dull, persistent aches of old age. However, Fearing then contrasts this bleak external world with the internal richness of their dreams: "But old men have their deep dreams / They follow on quiet afternoons / At intervals, through distant streets." The "deep dreams" offer solace and purpose, providing an escape from the monotonous streets. The phrase "quiet afternoons" suggests peaceful, reflective moments where they can revisit their memories. The image of following dreams "at intervals, through distant streets" conveys the sporadic but vivid nature of their daydreams. The poem continues with a description of how these dreams reconnect the old men with their pasts: "Their lives come near them in warm streams / Of tonic hope." The "warm streams" symbolize memories that flow back, bringing with them a sense of hope and purpose. The use of "tonic" implies a rejuvenating effect, suggesting that these memories provide a sense of vitality. Fearing concludes with a striking image of hope amid defeat: "And orange moons / Shine magically on stark defeats." The "orange moons" symbolize a surreal beauty that lights up the darkness of defeat, providing moments of magic and warmth. The contrast between "stark defeats" and the "orange moons" reinforces the idea that dreams and memories can soften the harshness of reality, offering solace even in old age. Structurally, "Old Men" employs a consistent rhyme scheme (ABABAB CDCDCD) that adds a rhythmic quality to the poem. The use of two stanzas with six lines each provides a balanced structure, allowing Fearing to clearly contrast the external world with the internal dreams. In "Old Men," Kenneth Fearing masterfully juxtaposes the bleakness of old age with the warmth and richness of dreams and memories. By contrasting the external realities of aging with the internal worlds of hope and nostalgia, Fearing captures the resilience and depth of the human spirit even in the face of "stark defeats." The poem ultimately serves as a poignant reminder of the power of dreams and memories to provide solace and purpose throughout life.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN OLD-FASHIONED SONG by JOHN HOLLANDER AT EIGHTY I CHANGE MY VIEW by DAVID IGNATOW FAWN'S FOSTER-MOTHER by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE DEER LAY DOWN THEIR BONES by ROBINSON JEFFERS OLD BLACK MEN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON A WINTER ODE TO THE OLD MEN OF LUMMUS PARK, / MIAMI, FLORIDA by DONALD JUSTICE AFTER A LINE BY JOHN PEALE BISHOP by DONALD JUSTICE TO HER BODY, AGAINST TIME by ROBERT KELLY |
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