Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"On First Looking into Joseph Cornell's Diaries" is a poem by August Kleinzahler. It was first published in the book "Sleeping It Off in Rapid City" in 2008.

Explanation:

The poem is a reflection on the diaries of American artist Joseph Cornell. Cornell was known for his intricate, box-like assemblages that combined found objects, and his diaries are similarly layered and collaged. The speaker of the poem is struck by the depth and complexity of Cornell's inner life, as revealed through his diaries.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of seven stanzas, each comprising four lines. The stanzas are not strictly structured and do not follow a consistent rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid imagery, such as "an inner landscape / of cutouts, scraps, and shavings," and "the carefully arranged / assemblies of his dreams."
• Allusion: The title of the poem alludes to the poem "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" by John Keats, which similarly reflects on the discovery of something profound and new.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reverential and awestruck, conveying the speaker's deep appreciation for Cornell's art and the complexity of his inner life.

Conclusion:

"On First Looking into Joseph Cornell's Diaries" is a tribute to the artist and his remarkable diaries. Through Kleinzahler's poem, we gain a sense of the intricate inner world that Cornell created and the depth of feeling that went into his art.

Poem Snippet:

"Where does the desire come from

to make a diary? Was it all

a mask? Or was it

the only true part?"

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