Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Red Brocade" is a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, a Palestinian-American poet, novelist, and songwriter. Nye was born in 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri, and has written numerous works that explore themes of identity, heritage, and cultural exchange. "Red Brocade" was first published in 1981 and is considered one of Nye's notable works.

Explanation:

The poem "Red Brocade" is a meditation on the theme of beauty and the many forms it can take. The speaker describes a red brocade dress, which represents a symbol of beauty and elegance. However, the poem also touches on the idea that beauty can be fleeting, and that even the most beautiful things can eventually fade and lose their luster. The poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of beauty and the ways in which it can be appreciated and celebrated.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse with no consistent rhyme or meter
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the red brocade dress and its various qualities
• Repetition: Use of repetition in the phrase "Red brocade" to emphasize the theme of the poem
• Metaphor: Use of the red brocade dress as a metaphor for beauty and elegance

Conclusion:

"Red Brocade" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that celebrates the power of beauty and elegance. Through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem portrays the red brocade dress as a symbol of beauty, but also suggests that beauty can be fleeting and temporary. The poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of beauty and the ways in which it can be appreciated and celebrated.

Poem Snippet:

The Arabs used to say,

when a stranger appears at your door,

feed him for three days

before asking who he is,