Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Justice's "Variations for Two Pianos" is a poignant villanelle that captures the void left in Arkansas following the departure of a talented pianist, Thomas Higgins. The structure of the villanelle, with its repeating lines and tightly woven rhyme scheme, reinforces the sense of loss and the enduring silence that follows Higgins' exit.

The poem begins with a stark declaration: "There is no music now in all Arkansas." This line, which is repeated throughout the poem, sets a somber tone, suggesting that Higgins' departure has left a profound silence in its wake. The second line, "Higgins is gone, taking both his pianos," provides the cause of this silence, emphasizing the finality and completeness of his departure.

Justice then describes the physical removal of the pianos: "Movers dismantled the instruments, away / Sped the vans. The first detour untuned the strings." This image of dismantling and detuning conveys a sense of disruption and disintegration, mirroring the emotional impact on the community. The detour that untunes the strings serves as a metaphor for the unintended consequences and disruptions that accompany significant changes.

The repetition of the refrain "There is no music now in all Arkansas" underscores the pervasive impact of Higgins' absence. As the poem progresses, the setting is further detailed: "Up Main Street, past the cold shopfronts of Conway, / The brash, self-important brick of the college." These lines evoke a sense of place, grounding the reader in the specific locale affected by Higgins' departure.

Justice reflects on the moments when Higgins would play "something of Mozart's for his pupils, the birds." This image of Higgins playing for both his students and the natural world illustrates the reach and inclusiveness of his music. The open windows and the warm evenings convey a sense of community and shared experience that has now been lost.

The poem then shifts to consider the broader implications of this loss: "How shall the mockingbird mend her trill, the jay / His eccentric attack, lacking a teacher?" By anthropomorphizing the birds and attributing to them the need for a teacher, Justice underscores the integral role that Higgins played in the cultural and natural life of the area. The birds' song, symbolic of beauty and creativity, is now disrupted, mirroring the community's loss.

In its final repetition, the refrain "There is no music now in all Arkansas" is joined by the reiteration that "Higgins is gone, taking both his pianos." The cumulative effect of these lines reinforces the enduring silence and the deep sense of absence felt by the community.

"Variations for Two Pianos" is a masterful villanelle that uses its formal structure to underscore the themes of loss and absence. Through its repeating lines and vivid imagery, the poem conveys the profound impact of Higgins' departure on both the human and natural worlds of Arkansas. The silence that replaces his music speaks to the irreplaceable role of art and the artists who create it, highlighting how their absence can leave a community diminished and bereft.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...