Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Baroque Wall-Fountain in the Villa Sciarra" is a poem written by Richard Wilbur, an American poet and literary translator, in 1957. Wilbur was known for his elegant and formal style, as well as his use of intricate and complex poetic structures.

Explanation:

The poem describes a Baroque wall-fountain in the Villa Sciarra in Rome, which is adorned with various decorative elements such as shells, rocks, and water jets. The speaker of the poem marvels at the intricate details of the fountain and how it combines both natural and man-made elements to create a sense of harmony and balance. The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the fountain's beauty and how it serves as a reminder of the power of art to elevate and inspire.

Poetic Elements:

• Structure: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid and sensory descriptions of the fountain, including "satin spill" and "watering whorls."
• Personification: The fountain is given human-like qualities, such as "smiling" and "dancing."
• Symbolism: The fountain represents the power of art to transform and elevate the ordinary into something beautiful and extraordinary.

Conclusion:

In "A Baroque Wall-Fountain in the Villa Sciarra," Richard Wilbur uses his intricate and formal style to describe the beauty and harmony of a Baroque wall-fountain in Rome. The poem's vivid imagery, personification, and use of symbolism create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader, while also highlighting the transformative power of art. Overall, the poem is a testament to Wilbur's skill as a poet and his ability to elevate the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Poem Snippet:

"The water comes out of the lion's mouth

In a wet mimicry of speech

And slides, glinting, down the smooth

Satin spill of its neck into