Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

LOSSES, by RANDALL JARRELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Losses" is a poignant poem by Randall Jarrell, first published in his collection "The Seven-League Crutches" in 1951. The poem captures the feelings of grief and despair that follow the death of a loved one.

Explanation:

The poem begins with a stark depiction of the aftermath of loss: "In the dream / Angus was glad and singing." The dream is a cruel reminder of what has been lost, and the speaker is left with a sense of emptiness and confusion: "And I am not glad. / I am not singing." The second stanza emphasizes the sense of disorientation, as the speaker struggles to make sense of a world that no longer makes sense without their loved one: "The monstrous world has turned / Its face to me... / I am lost in its beauty."

The third stanza introduces a sense of anger, as the speaker lashes out at the world for continuing on as if nothing has changed: "But let the world dream otherwise, / I swear to you by the green of the spring / I am not glad / That the world is so beautiful." The final stanza is a bleak acknowledgment of the reality of loss, as the speaker concludes: "I will forget you / And yet you are all that I wanted / For years. / You are all that I lost."

Poetic Elements:

The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
The use of enjambment creates a sense of flow and continuity, even as the speaker's emotions are disjointed and chaotic.
The imagery is vivid and striking, particularly the description of the "monstrous world" that has turned its face to the speaker.

Conclusion:

"Losses" is a moving exploration of grief and loss, capturing the sense of disorientation and despair that follows the death of a loved one. The poem's use of vivid imagery and enjambment creates a sense of raw emotion, making it a powerful and poignant reflection on the human experience.

Poem Snippet:

"I will forget you

And yet you are all that I wanted

For years.

You are all that I lost."