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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Mourning Pablo Neruda" by Robert Bly is an elegiac reflection that intertwines the themes of loss, the natural cycle of life, and the enduring presence of those who have passed. Through the motif of water, Bly explores the nature of grief and memory, offering a poignant meditation on the way in which the departed leave an indelible mark on the living, even as they recede from the physical world. The poem begins with a straightforward appreciation of water's utility, especially noted in the context of August's heat. This practicality is illustrated through the act of carrying water to young willow trees, struggling for survival against the natural adversity of grasshoppers. This opening scene sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the sustenance and support that water provides, a metaphor for the nurturing aspects of relationships and memory. As the poem progresses, the presence of a jar of water in the car becomes a focal point for deeper reflection. The image of the jar quivering, surrounded by the darkened seat, symbolizes the fragility and transient nature of life. Bly uses the journey through a countryside marked by granite quarries—soon to be shaped into blocks for the dead—as a stark reminder of mortality and the physical remnants left behind. The comparison of the dead to water trapped in granite, present "hardly at all," serves to illustrate the ephemeral nature of physical existence and the inevitable fading of the dead from the tangible world. However, Bly suggests that, like water, the essence of the deceased remains a part of the living, flowing through memory and influence, albeit in a form that is often intangible and elusive. Bly reflects on the process of mourning and the desire to hold onto the dead, acknowledging that while the dead are meant to "go away, and not come back," there is a natural human longing for their return. Water, in its perpetual motion towards its destination, becomes a metaphor for the journey of the soul and the cycle of life and death. It is indifferent to human concerns, moving inexorably toward its ultimate union with larger bodies of water, mirroring the journey of the spirit from individual existence to a broader, universal essence. The concluding lines of the poem underscore the transitory nature of water—and, by extension, life itself. No memorials are erected for water, as it is always in a state of departure, never fixed in one place. This realization brings a sense of acceptance of the natural order, recognizing that both water and the human spirit are part of a larger, continuous flow that transcends individual existence. "Mourning Pablo Neruda" is a deeply moving exploration of grief, memory, and the acceptance of loss. Through the lens of water's journey, Robert Bly captures the complex interplay between the physical and the spiritual, the personal and the universal, offering a meditative tribute to the enduring impact of those who have departed from our lives. POEM TEXT: https://timesfool.blogspot.com/2009/04/april-21st-national-poetry-month-robert.html
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DISTANT RAINFALL by ROBINSON JEFFERS HUNGERFIELD by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE MOURNER by LOUISE MOREY BOWMAN HECUBA MOURNS by MARILYN NELSON THERE IS NO GOD BUT by AGHA SHAHID ALI |
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