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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Close Your Eyes!" by Arna Bontemps is a poignant evocation of moving forward through loss and the act of letting go, encapsulated within the symbolic gesture of closing one's eyes. This brief yet profound poem navigates the themes of departure, memory, and the necessary resilience required to face the unknown. Bontemps crafts a narrative that is both an instruction and a meditation, urging the subject—and by extension, the reader—to embrace change and the cessation of past labors. The poem begins with the imperative "Go through the gates with closed eyes," a directive that suggests entering a new phase or chapter of life without the burden of past visions and prejudices. The act of closing one's eyes serves as a metaphor for relinquishing sight and, consequently, the familiar ways of seeing and understanding the world. This gesture of blindness is not one of ignorance but of trust and courage, allowing oneself to be led by senses other than sight, perhaps intuition or inner wisdom. Standing "erect" and facing "the west" symbolizes dignity and resolve in the face of transition. The west, a direction traditionally associated with endings and the closing of the day, here might also symbolize the frontier or the challenges that lie ahead. The speaker's instruction to "Drop the axe and leave the timber where it lies" further emphasizes the theme of leaving behind one's former tasks and responsibilities. The "woodman on the hill" represents those who labor tirelessly, suggesting that there comes a time for rest and for setting aside one's tools to embark on a different journey. The poem then shifts to a more intimate register, urging the subject to "Forget her warm arms and her breast who mothered you, / And every face you ever loved forget." This is a call to release the most personal and foundational attachments, highlighting the depth of sacrifice and detachment required to move forward. It is a recognition of the pain and difficulty inherent in forgetting those we love but suggests that such forgetting is necessary for growth and renewal. "Close your eyes; walk bravely through" serves as both the conclusion and the core message of the poem, encapsulating the essence of the journey Bontemps describes. It is an exhortation to face the unknown with bravery and a willingness to let go of the past. The repetition of the imperative to close one's eyes reinforces the theme of moving forward into the future without the constraints of what has been seen and known before. Through "Close Your Eyes!" Bontemps captures the universal experience of transition, the necessity of leaving behind what is familiar and dear, and the courage required to step into new realms of existence. The poem's concise structure and vivid imagery convey a powerful message of resilience, renewal, and the endless cycle of endings and beginnings that define the human condition. POEM TEXT: Go through the gates with closed eyes. Go where leaves are lying brown and wet.
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