Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

ADVICE TO GOD, by MONA VAN DUYN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Advice to God" is a poem written by Mona Van Duyn. The poem was first published in 1988 as a part of her poetry collection titled "If It Be Not I." The poem is a conversation between a mortal and God. The speaker in the poem asks for guidance from God regarding the meaning of life and the purpose of suffering.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker addressing God, asking for guidance on the purpose of life. The speaker wonders why we are created with a capacity for love and passion only to suffer in the end. The speaker mentions that life is full of contradictions and asks God why he created humans to suffer.

The poem then shifts to the speaker questioning the meaning of God's love. The speaker wonders why God would give us so much love only to have it end in death. The speaker also questions the nature of faith and how it fits into the human experience.

In the final stanza, the speaker begs God to give her strength and to help her understand the meaning of her suffering. The speaker acknowledges that she cannot fully understand God's plan but pleads for him to reveal some of his wisdom to her.

Poetic Elements:

Form: The poem is written in free verse and does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter.

Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts. For example, the speaker describes life as a "chalice brimming with poisoned wine," emphasizing the idea that life is full of contradictions and pain.

Repetition: The poem uses repetition to emphasize the speaker's feelings of confusion and despair. The repeated use of the word "why" underscores the speaker's quest for understanding.

Conclusion:

"Advice to God" is a contemplative poem that explores the purpose of human suffering and the nature of God's love. Through the speaker's questions and pleas for guidance, the poem offers a glimpse into the complexity of the human experience and the mystery of faith. The poem ultimately suggests that even in times of despair, there is hope in the possibility of divine wisdom and guidance.

Poem Snippet:

"Why did you make us capable of so much love and passion,

Only to die, only to suffer, only to strive

To build our fragile lives and watch them crumble?”