Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Hotel" by William Everson explores a microcosm of society gathered within the transient, impersonal space of a hotel, juxtaposing the experiences and perceptions of various characters to delve into themes of isolation, desire, and the search for connection. Through vivid imagery and sharp contrasts, Everson captures the complexity of human interactions and the depth of individual longing against the backdrop of a mundane setting.

The poem opens with a catalogue of the hotel's occupants, a diverse group ranging from "the aged" to "the infant in arms," each characterized by their vulnerabilities ("Each woolened, each dreading draughts"). This enumeration of guests, including a "soldier schooled in such ruinous skills," a "barber," a "broker," and a "pervert wound in the tenor's trance," paints a picture of the hotel as a gathering place for people from all walks of life, each carrying their own stories and secrets.

The focus then shifts to a "yokel" from "far counties," who embodies innocence and naivety. His awkwardness and awe in the "gaudy" environment of the hotel highlight the divide between his simple, rural background and the complex, urban world he finds himself in. This character's fascination with the women he sees and the vivid imagination of the lovers' encounter in "the honeycombed hotel" suggests a longing for connection and intimacy, themes that resonate throughout the poem.

The lovers' embrace, described in intense, almost sacred terms ("Mouth against mouth in their sightless swoon"), stands in stark contrast to the isolation and disconnectedness experienced by the other characters. Their physical union ("Their twinging thighs and their stinging sex / Joined in great joy") represents a moment of transcendence, a profound connection that seems elusive to others within the hotel's walls.

However, the poem closes on a note of disillusionment. The yokel's awakening to "the dimming down of the lights, / The hollow street, And the emptiness within" underscores the ephemeral nature of the encounter he imagined, reflecting back on the overarching theme of isolation. This realization speaks to the human condition more broadly, suggesting that moments of true connection are rare and fleeting against the backdrop of life's routine and loneliness.

"Hotel" is a poignant exploration of the human yearning for intimacy and understanding in a world where such connections are often superficial or transient. Through the lens of a hotel, with its temporary inhabitants and fleeting encounters, Everson captures the complexity of human emotions and the universal search for meaning and connection.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Residual_Years/JeBX8LZrdr8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22They+came+out+of+the+sun+undetected%22by+WILLIAM+EVERSON&pg=PA120&printsec=frontcover

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