Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Wieners' "Night, That Last Month of the Last" plunges readers into a hauntingly personal and fragmented narrative. With its allusions to death, incarceration, and fraught relationships, the poem weaves themes of despair and longing with an undercurrent of societal critique.

The opening line, “night, that last month of the last year’s spring to hasten lovely Lenore’s grave,” establishes a tone of somber inevitability. The invocation of Lenore, an archetype rooted in Edgar Allan Poe’s melancholic tradition, immediately casts the poem in a shadow of mourning. Wieners situates the reader in a liminal space—between seasons, years, and life and death—underscoring the transient nature of existence.

The introduction of Walter, described as a “sexual deviate” and “occasionally epicurean,” adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Walter’s duality—marked by his deviance and moments of indulgence—highlights Wieners’ fascination with outsiders and those existing on society's margins. His plea for “release from incarceration” resonates with themes of entrapment and longing for freedom, both literal and metaphorical. The mention of “State punishment” contextualizes his suffering within broader societal structures, implicating systems of control and oppression.

The speaker’s response to Walter’s situation—“I rang for a gun from a friend”—introduces an element of danger and rebellion. This act, framed as an attempt to “effect such privilege,” suggests both a sense of solidarity and desperation. The image of summoning a weapon underscores the stakes of their struggle, hinting at a volatile intersection of personal agency and systemic power.

Lenore’s collapse upon hearing this plan—“Lenore heard this and collapsed, dying in Pa’s”—serves as the poem’s emotional climax. Her death is abrupt and unresolved, leaving readers with a sense of lingering tragedy. The lack of closure mirrors the fragmented structure of the poem, reflecting the chaos and uncertainty inherent in the speaker’s world.

Wieners’ language oscillates between the direct and the opaque, demanding active engagement from the reader. The poem’s fragmented syntax and abrupt shifts in tone reflect the instability of its themes, mirroring the emotional turbulence of its characters. The interplay of personal despair, societal critique, and existential longing creates a layered and multifaceted text.

“Night, That Last Month of the Last” is a poignant exploration of loss, defiance, and the human yearning for connection and liberation. Through its fragmented narrative and evocative imagery, the poem captures a moment of profound vulnerability, leaving readers to grapple with its haunting resonance long after the final line.

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