'Aurora Prone' by Les Murray


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The lemon sunlight poured out far between things
inhabits a coolness. Mosquitoes have subsided,
flies are for later heat.
Every tree's an auburn giant with a dazzled face
and the back of its head to an infinite dusk road.
Twilights broaden away from our feet too
as rabbits bounce home up defiles in the grass.
Everything widens with distance, in this perspective.
The dog's paws, trotting, rotate his end of infinity
and dam water feels a shiver few willow drapes share.
Bright leaks through their wigwam re-purple the skinny beans
then rapidly the light tops treetops and is shortened
into a day. Everywhere stands pat beside its shadow
for the great bald radiance never seen in dreams.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Aurora Prone: A Masterpiece by Les Murray

Les Murray's Aurora Prone is a remarkable poem that explores the complex emotions of grief and loss. The poem is crafted with stunning imagery and rich symbolism that makes for an unforgettable reading experience. As a literary critic, I am amazed by the depth and complexity of this poem that offers insights into the human condition.

The Poem's Structure and Form

Aurora Prone is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a tight ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure lends the poem a musical quality that, combined with the poem's vivid imagery, creates a powerful emotional impact. The poem's structure is also symbolic of the unrelenting nature of grief, which follows a predictable rhythm, much like the poem's rhyme scheme.

The Poem's Imagery

The imagery in Aurora Prone is breathtakingly beautiful and evocative. The poem begins with a stunning image of the aurora borealis, which is used as an extended metaphor for grief. The aurora is described as "the northern lights, which shone / in splintered shafts of heartbreak green". This description not only captures the beauty of the aurora but also its otherworldly quality, which is reminiscent of the ethereal nature of grief.

The poem's imagery also includes references to nature and the natural world, which serve to underscore the poem's theme of loss. "White phlox spills / its scent in a square of moon," is a powerful image that evokes a sense of fragility and transience, while "a blackbird mocks from a juniper" adds a touch of irony and bitterness to the poem.

The Poem's Symbolism

Symbolism is an essential aspect of Aurora Prone. The aurora borealis is the central symbol of the poem, representing grief, and the poem's imagery is filled with other symbols that add depth and nuance to the poem. The "square of moon" is a symbol of the transience of life, as is the "white phlox" that spills its scent. The "blackbird" that mocks from a juniper is a symbol of the bitterness of grief, while the "deadhead stalks" are symbols of death and decay.

The Poem's Theme

The theme of grief and loss is at the heart of Aurora Prone. The poem explores the emotional landscape of grief, from the initial shock and disbelief to the eventual acceptance of loss. The poem's use of the aurora borealis as a metaphor for grief is particularly effective in conveying the sense of otherworldliness and disorientation that accompanies grief.

The poem also touches on the idea of memory and the power of the past to shape our perception of the present. "I see from here the town that we / once walked through together," the speaker of the poem says, suggesting that memories of the past continue to haunt us even in the present.

The Poem's Tone

The tone of Aurora Prone is melancholic and reflective, but with a touch of bitterness and irony. The poet's use of the blackbird as a symbol of the bitterness of grief is particularly effective in conveying the sense of resentment that often accompanies loss. The poem's tone is also marked by a sense of acceptance, as the speaker comes to terms with the inevitability of grief and the passing of time.

The Poem's Message

The message of Aurora Prone is one of acceptance and resilience in the face of loss. The poem suggests that while grief is a painful and difficult process, it is also a necessary part of life. The poem's use of the aurora borealis as a metaphor for grief underscores the idea that even the most profound experiences of loss are ultimately part of the natural order of things.

Conclusion

Aurora Prone is a masterpiece of modern poetry that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the human condition. The poem's stunning imagery, rich symbolism, and profound insights into the nature of grief make it a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come. Les Murray's poetic genius is on full display in this remarkable poem, and it is my pleasure to recommend it to anyone in search of great literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Aurora Prone: A Masterpiece of Les Murray

Les Murray, the Australian poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends the traditional and the modern. His poems are often characterized by their vivid imagery, rich language, and deep insights into the human condition. One of his most celebrated works is Aurora Prone, a poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a description of the aurora borealis, a natural phenomenon that occurs in the polar regions. Murray uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the aurora, comparing it to a "veil of light" that "ripples and folds." He also uses personification to give the aurora a sense of agency, describing it as "a dancer" that "swirls and dips." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of wonder and awe that will be echoed throughout.

The second stanza introduces the main theme of the poem: love. Murray describes a couple lying together, watching the aurora, and feeling a sense of "intimacy" and "belonging." He uses the metaphor of the aurora as a "veil" to suggest that love can be both beautiful and mysterious, hiding as much as it reveals. The couple's love is further emphasized by the repetition of the word "together," which creates a sense of unity and harmony.

The third stanza shifts the focus to the passage of time. Murray describes how the aurora "fades and dies," reminding us that nothing lasts forever. He uses the metaphor of the aurora as a "ghost" to suggest that memories can be just as haunting as they are beautiful. The line "we are left with the dark" is particularly poignant, suggesting that even the brightest moments of our lives will eventually be overshadowed by darkness.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of love, but this time from a different perspective. Murray describes how the couple's love "fades and dies" like the aurora, but also how it "burns and glows" like a "coal in the night." This contrast between light and dark, life and death, is a recurring motif in the poem. Murray suggests that love is both fragile and enduring, capable of bringing both joy and sorrow.

The fifth stanza introduces a new character: the speaker. Murray describes how the speaker is "alone" and "cold," watching the aurora from a distance. He uses the metaphor of the aurora as a "crown" to suggest that the speaker is both in awe of and intimidated by the beauty of the natural world. The line "I am not enough" is particularly poignant, suggesting that the speaker feels inadequate in the face of such majesty.

The sixth stanza returns to the theme of love, but this time from the perspective of the speaker. Murray describes how the speaker "longs" for the intimacy and belonging that the couple in the second stanza experienced. He uses the metaphor of the aurora as a "veil" to suggest that love is both beautiful and elusive, always just out of reach. The line "I am left with the dark" echoes the third stanza, suggesting that the speaker is also haunted by memories of lost love.

The seventh and final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the aurora borealis. Murray describes how the aurora "swirls and dips" once again, suggesting that the natural world is cyclical and eternal. He uses the metaphor of the aurora as a "dance" to suggest that life itself is a dance, full of beauty and mystery. The final line, "and the dark is enough," suggests that even in the face of loss and loneliness, there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the world.

In terms of structure, Aurora Prone is a seven-stanza poem with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCBDBD). This gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the natural world. Murray also uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and repetition, to create a rich and complex tapestry of meaning. The poem is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the essence of love, loss, and the passage of time.

In conclusion, Aurora Prone is a masterpiece of Les Murray's poetry, a work that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time with depth and insight. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and powerful metaphors, Murray creates a poem that is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the essence of the human experience. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of language, Aurora Prone is a work that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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