Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"They Are All Dice" by Yehuda Amichai is a strikingly visual and metaphorical poem that captures a moment of anticipation and its aftermath in everyday life. The scene is set at a railway crossing, where people are waiting for a train to pass—a common experience that Amichai transforms into a poignant reflection on life and chance.

The opening line, "With great love the people stand beside the lowered barrier," immediately establishes a tone of collective expectation. The phrase "with great love" is intriguing, as it adds an emotional depth to what might otherwise be a mundane activity. It suggests a kind of reverence or earnestness in the act of waiting, a shared human experience that brings people together in a moment of pause.

The imagery of a single thought "licked clean as a bone" in each person's mind conveys a sense of focus and intensity. This metaphor highlights the purity and clarity of their collective anticipation, stripping it down to its essence, much like a bone cleaned of all its flesh.

The lottery woman's role in the poem adds another layer of meaning. Her presence at this moment, watching from her booth, introduces the theme of chance and luck, which is central to the poem. The lottery, a game of chance, parallels the unpredictable nature of life that the poem explores.

The phrase "The non-train passes by, the non-expected arrives" is particularly striking. It suggests a twist in the anticipated event, where the expected train does not arrive, but something else, the "non-expected," does. This twist captures the unpredictability of life and the idea that often what we wait for is not what we receive.

The dispersion of the crowd "with great love" after the event mirrors their initial gathering, suggesting a cycle of expectation and resolution. The description of the people sleeping "with hair loose and eyes shut tight" evokes a sense of release and surrender after the intensity of anticipation.

The concluding metaphor, "They are all dice that landed on the lucky side," beautifully encapsulates the poem's theme. It suggests that life is a game of chance, and in this instance, the people are fortunate. However, the metaphor also implies the randomness of life's outcomes, reminding the reader that luck can change with every roll of the dice.

Overall, "They Are All Dice" is a thought-provoking poem that uses a simple scene to explore deeper themes of anticipation, chance, and the unpredictability of life. Amichai's use of vivid imagery and metaphor invites readers to reflect on the moments of waiting and unexpected outcomes in their own lives.

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