Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Stanley Kunitz's "Last Words" is a meditative and profound poem that delves into themes of mortality, continuity, and the enduring nature of beauty and change. Through evocative imagery and philosophical reflection, Kunitz explores the transition from life to death and the lasting impact of human existence.

The poem opens with a command to listen, drawing the reader into the speaker's intimate moment of departure: "Listen: from sleep's long pillow I arise / To go away." The metaphor of sleep as a long pillow suggests a final rest or the end of life. The speaker's request for "one moment let me lean / On falling air before I lock my eyes" conveys a desire to pause and take in the fleeting beauty of the world one last time before embracing the finality of death.

"Are the leaves red now? No matter. Trees are green." This line juxtaposes the changing colors of the leaves with the constancy of green trees, symbolizing the persistence of life and nature despite seasonal changes. It reflects the speaker's realization that, while individual moments are ephemeral, the fundamental essence of nature remains constant.

"The colors of the world are permanent / Despite the bleach of change. Pure stain on stain / The bow of light's eternal forms is bent / Across steep heaven in the general brain." These lines emphasize the permanence of the world's beauty, even as it undergoes change. The phrase "pure stain on stain" suggests a layering of colors and experiences that form the fabric of existence. The "bow of light's eternal forms" refers to the spectrum of light, a metaphor for the enduring nature of beauty and truth, which remains constant in the collective consciousness ("general brain").

The speaker reflects on a moment of lament: "Who cries, 'The beautiful, the proud, are fallen!' / (O silly child, it was myself that cried.)" Here, the speaker acknowledges their own past despair over the loss of beauty and pride. This self-awareness underscores the human tendency to mourn change and loss, even as they are inevitable parts of life.

"Death, eater of the heads of flowers, spills pollen: / Our little strength, our beauty, and our pride / Are for the race to keep; we can discover / Secrets with our broken skulls; our dead feet run." The imagery of death consuming flowers and spilling pollen evokes the cycle of life and death, where even in destruction, there is a contribution to new life. The speaker suggests that individual attributes like strength, beauty, and pride are preserved in the collective memory of humanity. The idea of discovering secrets "with our broken skulls" implies that death brings a deeper understanding, while the metaphor of "dead feet run" underlines the ongoing journey of the human spirit.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the continuity of life: "Under the lid of earth that closes over / The generations marching to the sun." This final image portrays the cycle of life and death as an ongoing march towards enlightenment and renewal. The "lid of earth" symbolizes burial, but the phrase "marching to the sun" suggests an ultimate destination of light and warmth, a hopeful conclusion to the cycle of existence.

In "Last Words," Stanley Kunitz masterfully balances reflections on mortality with an affirmation of the enduring nature of beauty and life. Through rich imagery and contemplative language, the poem captures the complex interplay between change and permanence, individual loss, and collective continuity. The poem invites readers to consider their place within the broader tapestry of existence and to find solace in the enduring nature of the world.

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