Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Consenting: On William Meredith" is a poem by Michael J. Rosen, an American writer and poet. The poem was written in tribute to William Meredith, an American poet and essayist who served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1978 to 1980. Meredith was known for his powerful and moving poetry, as well as his advocacy for gay rights.

Explanation:

"Consenting: On William Meredith" is a tribute to Meredith's life and legacy. The poem explores the themes of love, memory, and loss, as well as the power of language and poetry to capture the essence of a person's life.

Rosen draws on a range of poetic devices to create a sense of Meredith's life and personality, including metaphor, imagery, and repetition. The poem is structured around a series of vignettes that capture different moments from Meredith's life, from his childhood to his later years as an accomplished poet.

Through his use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Rosen creates a sense of the richness and complexity of Meredith's life, as well as his enduring impact on the world of poetry. The poem is a powerful tribute to a great poet and a tireless advocate for justice and equality.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Consenting: On William Meredith" is a free-verse poem with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid sensory images that capture the essence of Meredith's life and personality.
• Metaphor: The poem employs a range of metaphors to convey the richness and complexity of Meredith's life, as well as the power of poetry to capture the essence of a person's experience.
• Repetition: The poem makes use of repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, as well as to emphasize key ideas.
• Tone: The poem is characterized by a tone of reverence and admiration, as Rosen pays tribute to Meredith's life and legacy.

Conclusion:

"Consenting: On William Meredith" is a moving tribute to the life and legacy of a great poet and advocate for justice and equality. Through his use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Rosen captures the essence of Meredith's life and personality, conveying the richness and complexity of his experience. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a person's life, and to the enduring impact of great poets like Meredith on the world around us.

Poem Snippet:

"Out of the fray, beyond the ash,

Beyond the cemetery where

He sleeps beside the man he loved

And lost so long ago - a welcome awaits."

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