Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"St. Michan's Churchyard" is a poem by Rose Kavanagh, an Irish poet and writer. Rose Kavanagh was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1979. She has won several awards for her poetry.

The poem is inspired by a real-life location in Dublin, Ireland, the St. Michan's Church, which has a crypt that contains mummified remains of the dead. Kavanagh's poem is a reflection on mortality, the transience of life, and the idea of leaving something behind after we are gone. The subtitle of the poem is “[Robert Emmet's Burial place]” so Kavanagh undoubtedly had the Irish martyr in  mind composing the poem.

The themes of "St. Michan's Churchyard" include mortality, the transience of life, and the idea of leaving something behind after we are gone. The poem explores the idea that death is a natural part of life, and that we should not fear it, but rather accept it and make the most of the time we have. Kavanagh also touches on the idea of legacy and what we leave behind after we die. She suggests that we should strive to leave something positive behind, whether it be a work of art, a piece of writing, or a memory in the minds of those we leave behind.

"St. Michan's Churchyard" is a free-verse poem with no set rhyme or meter. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the theme of mortality, while the second and third stanzas explore the crypt and the mummified remains. The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of mortality and concluding with a call to action to make the most of our time on earth.

"St. Michan's Churchyard" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that encourages us to reflect on our own mortality and the legacies we leave behind. Kavanagh's use of vivid imagery and sensory language draws the reader into the world of the crypt and creates a sense of unease and wonder. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder that death is a natural part of life, and that we should strive to make the most of the time we have and leave something positive behind for future generations.

*NOTE: Robert Emmet (1778-1803) was an Irish nationalist and revolutionary who played a significant role in the history of Ireland's struggle for independence from British rule. He is best known for his involvement in the failed rebellion of 1803, known as "Robert Emmet's Rebellion" or "Emmet's Insurrection." Emmet was eventually captured and put on trial for treason. Despite his eloquence and passionate defense, Emmet was found guilty and sentenced to death. On September 20, 1803, Robert Emmet was executed by hanging in Dublin. His death further galvanized the Irish nationalist movement, and he became a martyr for the cause of Irish independence.

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