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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Assistance" by Paul Blackburn is a concise yet evocative poem that captures the essence of rural life's simplicity and directness. The poem speaks to the pragmatism and lack of pretense characteristic of farm living, specifically regarding the natural and unembellished acts of relieving oneself. By listing the various locations "behind the barn, in any grass, against any convenient tree; the / woodshed in winter, in a corner if it came to that," Blackburn highlights the straightforward and unceremonious approach to bodily needs that contrasts sharply with the more private and sanitized practices found in urban or suburban contexts. The poem's brevity and straightforward language mirror the simplicity and directness of the actions it describes. There's an implicit contrast drawn between the farm's open and unrestrictive nature and the more regulated and private spaces of modern, non-rural life. The mention of "the woodshed in winter" adds a touch of harsh realism, acknowledging the discomforts and challenges that can accompany the otherwise unfettered freedom of farm life. "Assistance" subtly points to a broader theme of human's connection to and distance from nature. On the farm, natural processes are part of daily life, unhidden and unashamed. This naturalness can be seen as a form of assistance—the farm environment itself supports and accommodates the basic human need addressed in the poem. In this compact piece, Blackburn uses the act of relieving oneself in the open as a metaphor for the broader qualities of farm life: openness, adaptability, and a close relationship with the natural world. The poem invites readers to reflect on the ways in which our environments shape our behaviors and attitudes towards basic human experiences, suggesting that there is something to be learned from the simplicity and forthrightness of life on the farm.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE AGONY [AGONIE] by GEORGE HERBERT PRAYER OF A SOLDIER IN FRANCE by ALFRED JOYCE KILMER ITYLUS by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE THE DISMANTLED SHIP by WALT WHITMAN FRATERNITY by ANNE REEVE ALDRICH BURIAL AT SEA by JESSIE GODDARD BROMAN A LETTER TO A LADY; HER DESIRING AUTHOR TO POLISH POEMS OF BISHOP KEN by JOHN BYROM |
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