Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Bearhug" is a poem by Michael Ondaatje, first published in his poetry collection "The Cinnamon Peeler" in 1989. The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and memory through the lens of a childhood memory.

Explanation:

The poem describes a childhood memory of the speaker, in which his father embraces him in a bearhug. The speaker recalls how his father's embrace felt like a powerful force, and how he felt comforted and safe in his father's arms. However, the poem also reveals that the father is no longer present, and that the memory is a bittersweet one. The speaker is left with a sense of longing and a desire to recapture the love and security he felt in his father's embrace.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of a single stanza with thirteen lines.
• Imagery: The use of vivid imagery, such as "his quick hugs like a tangle of vines," helps to create a sense of intimacy and warmth in the poem.
• Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "I remember" emphasizes the importance of memory in the poem and underscores the speaker's desire to hold onto his childhood memories.
• Metaphor: The metaphor of the bearhug is used to convey the powerful love and protection that the speaker felt in his father's embrace.

Conclusion:

"Bearhug" is a poignant and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of intimacy and emotional resonance that is both powerful and memorable.

Poem Snippet:

"I can only stand before it

humbled and controlled by my father's love

which undoes the knots in my chest”