Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"When Death Comes" is a poem by Mary Oliver, an American poet known for her nature-themed poetry. The poem was first published in 1991 in Oliver's collection "New and Selected Poems, Volume 1."

Explanation:

The poem is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the importance of living life to the fullest. The speaker encourages the reader to embrace the mysteries of life and death, rather than fearing them.

The poem uses vivid imagery and sensory language to create a sense of the natural world and the cycle of life and death. The speaker emphasizes the importance of living in the moment, and cherishing the experiences and relationships that make life meaningful.

Oliver also touches on themes of spirituality and the interconnectedness of all living things, suggesting that death is simply a return to the larger universe of which we are a part.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of four stanzas, each with five lines. The poem has an irregular structure, with varying line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid and sensory imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the natural world and the cycle of life and death.
• Metaphor: The metaphor of death as a dark figure is used to represent the fear and uncertainty that many people feel about the end of life.
• Repetition: The phrase "When it's over" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's message of living in the moment and cherishing the experiences of life.

Conclusion:

"When Death Comes" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages the reader to embrace the inevitability of death and to live life to the fullest. Oliver's use of vivid imagery and sensory language creates a sense of the beauty and complexity of the natural world, while her message of living in the moment and cherishing life's experiences is a reminder to embrace the mystery of life and death.

Poem Snippet:

"When it's over, I want to say all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms."