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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Holy Family" presents a poignant and stark meditation on the cyclical nature of human suffering and the recurring themes of birth, war, and loss. Through its repetitive and rhythmic structure, the poem captures the timeless and universal aspects of these experiences, drawing parallels between the past and the present. The poem opens with the imagery of a "long road and a village," setting the stage for a journey away from conflict: "A bloody road and a village. / A road away from war." This juxtaposition of the peaceful village with the bloody road highlights the contrast between the hope for peace and the reality of violence. The refrain "Born, born, we know how it goes" introduces a sense of inevitability, suggesting that these cycles of birth and conflict are well known and repeatedly endured. The focus shifts to a man and woman riding with a new-born child: "Riding, the new-born child. / White sky, clever and wild." The imagery of the white sky evokes a sense of purity and potential, but the description of it as "clever and wild" hints at unpredictability and the untamed nature of life. The refrain reiterates the cyclical nature of these events: "Born, born, we know how it goes." As the poem progresses, it questions the fate of the child and the world: "How is it with the child? / How is it with the world?" These lines emphasize the vulnerability of new life and the uncertain future it faces in a world marked by conflict. The refrain continues to underscore the inevitability of these experiences. The poem then introduces a darker turn: "Never look at the child. / Give it to bloody ground. / By this dream we are bound." This suggests a sense of fatalism, where the child is destined to be sacrificed or lost to the violence of the world. The phrase "By this dream we are bound" implies that the cycle of hope and suffering is a shared human experience, a collective dream that continually binds people to their fate. The final stanzas depict the man and woman entering the battle-line, leaving the child behind: "Riding between these hills, / Woman and man alone / Enter the battle-line." The imagery of the parents joining the fighting men underscores the pervasive nature of conflict and the personal sacrifices it demands. The poem concludes with a sense of prolonged suffering and the promise of eventual return: "They childless disappear / Among the fighting men. / Two thousand years until they come again." The refrain "Born, born, we know how it goes" throughout the poem reinforces the cyclical pattern of birth, conflict, and loss, suggesting that these experiences are intrinsic to the human condition. The repetition creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality, emphasizing the inevitability and universality of these themes. "Holy Family" is a powerful reflection on the enduring cycles of life and violence. Rukeyser's use of vivid imagery and repetitive structure captures the timeless and recurring nature of these experiences, offering a poignant meditation on the human condition and the persistent hope for peace amidst conflict. The poem resonates with the recognition that, despite the inevitability of suffering, the journey of life continues, marked by both loss and the potential for renewal.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW WE DID IT by MURIEL RUKEYSER THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: ALLOY by MURIEL RUKEYSER THE IMPORTANCE OF GREEN by JAMES GALVIN ON A TREE FALLEN ACROSS THE ROAD (TO HEAR US TALK) by ROBERT FROST THE PHANTOM SHIP by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE PITY OF THE LEAVES by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON WHITE FIELDS by JAMES STEPHENS ANOTHER REAPER by WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG III |
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