'Birth Day' by Elise Paschen
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For Alexandra, born May 17, 1999
Armored in red, her voice commands
every corner. Bells gong on squares,
in steeples, answering the prayers.
Bright tulips crown the boulevards.
Pulled from the womb she imitates
that mythic kick from some god's head.
She roars, and we are conquered.
Her legs, set free, combat the air.
Naked warrior: she is our own.
Entire empires are overthrown.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Birth Day by Elise Paschen: A Deep Dive into the Poem
Are you familiar with the timeless and thought-provoking poem Birth Day by Elise Paschen? If not, I suggest you grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this deep dive into the poem.
Introduction
Birth Day is a poem that explores the complex emotions and experiences of a mother giving birth to her child. The poem is written in free verse and is divided into four sections. Each section captures a different stage of the mother's experience, from the initial contractions to the moment of birth and the aftermath.
The First Section
The poem begins with the first contraction, which the mother experiences while walking in a garden. The contraction is described as a "dagger" that jolts her body. This sudden pain is a powerful image that captures the intensity of the experience. As readers, we are immediately drawn into the scene and begin to feel the mother's pain and fear.
The mother's reaction to the contraction is also significant. She is surprised and caught off guard, as if she didn't expect labor to happen at that moment. This could be seen as a metaphor for life itself, which often catches us by surprise and forces us to adapt quickly.
The Second Section
The second section of the poem describes the mother's journey to the hospital. The mother is surrounded by family members who are trying to comfort her. However, the mother's pain is so intense that she is unable to focus on anything else. This is evident when she sees a "bouquet of flowers" and thinks of it as a "bouquet of knives."
This image is particularly striking because it shows how the mother's pain is affecting her perception of the world around her. The flowers, which would normally be seen as a symbol of beauty and life, are now associated with pain and danger. This suggests that the mother's experience of pain has transformed her understanding of the world.
The Third Section
The third section of the poem captures the mother's experience of giving birth. This is the most intense and emotional section of the poem. The mother is described as "drowning" in pain and fear. She is completely overwhelmed by the experience, and her body feels like it is "ripping apart."
The language in this section is particularly powerful. The poet uses words like "cataclysmic," "thunder," and "lightning" to describe the experience. These words create a sense of chaos and intensity, which reflects the mother's experience of giving birth.
The Fourth Section
The final section of the poem describes the aftermath of the birth. The mother is exhausted and relieved that the pain is over. She holds her child in her arms and feels a sense of awe and wonder. The child is described as a "miracle" and a "sacred thing."
This final section is significant because it shows how the mother's experience of pain has been transformed into a moment of joy and wonder. The birth of the child has given the mother a new perspective on life, and she is filled with a sense of gratitude and love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Birth Day is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the complex experiences of a mother giving birth. The poet uses vivid imagery and powerful language to create a sense of intensity and chaos. However, the poem also captures the transformative power of birth, and the way in which pain can be transformed into joy and wonder.
The poem is a reminder of the power of childbirth and the importance of recognizing the strength and resilience of mothers. It is a beautiful tribute to the miracle of life and the wonder of birth.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Birth Day: A Poem of Life and Death
Elise Paschen's Birth Day is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the cycle of existence. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Paschen takes the reader on a journey through the stages of life, from birth to death, and beyond. In this analysis, we will examine the key themes and literary devices used in Birth Day, and explore the deeper meanings and implications of the poem.
The poem begins with the image of a newborn baby, "a small, wet thing, / all eyes and mouth, / a tiny, mewling creature / that has just arrived." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Paschen establishes the central theme of birth and new beginnings. The baby is described as "a miracle of flesh and bone," and the language used is both tender and awe-inspiring. The reader is invited to share in the wonder and joy of new life, and to contemplate the mystery of creation.
As the poem progresses, Paschen moves through the stages of life, from childhood to adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each stage is marked by its own unique challenges and joys, and Paschen captures these experiences with great sensitivity and insight. In the second stanza, for example, she describes the "awkward years" of adolescence, when "the body grows / too fast, too slow, / and the mind races / ahead of the heart." This is a time of confusion and uncertainty, when the young person is trying to find their place in the world and establish their identity.
In the third stanza, Paschen moves on to adulthood, and the challenges of building a career, raising a family, and finding meaning in life. She describes the "long days of work / and the longer nights / of worry and regret," and the sense of responsibility that comes with being a parent. This is a time of hard work and sacrifice, but also of great fulfillment and joy.
The fourth stanza marks a turning point in the poem, as Paschen begins to explore the theme of death and the end of life. She describes the "slow decline" of old age, and the physical and mental deterioration that comes with it. The language here is stark and uncompromising, as Paschen confronts the reality of mortality head-on. She speaks of "the body's betrayal," and the sense of loss and sadness that comes with the realization that life is finite.
But even as Paschen acknowledges the inevitability of death, she also suggests that there is something beyond it. In the final stanza, she speaks of "the great beyond," and the possibility of a new beginning after death. She describes the soul as "a small, bright thing / that flutters and rises / like a bird in flight," and suggests that it is capable of transcending the limitations of the physical body. This is a hopeful and uplifting message, and one that speaks to the human desire for immortality and transcendence.
Throughout the poem, Paschen uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most striking is her use of imagery, which is both vivid and evocative. She describes the baby as "a small, wet thing," and the adolescent as "a colt / with legs too long / and a heart too wild." These images are both concrete and metaphorical, and they help to bring the different stages of life to life in the reader's mind.
Paschen also uses repetition to great effect, particularly in the final stanza. The phrase "a small, bright thing" is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of the soul and its potential for transcendence. The repetition of the word "birth" throughout the poem also serves to reinforce the central theme of new beginnings and the cycle of life.
Another important literary device used in Birth Day is the use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines. This technique creates a sense of flow and continuity, and helps to connect the different stages of life together. For example, in the second stanza, Paschen writes:
"The awkward years when the body grows too fast, too slow, and the mind races ahead of the heart."
The use of enjambment here creates a sense of movement and transition, as the reader is carried from one stage of life to the next.
In conclusion, Elise Paschen's Birth Day is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the cycle of existence. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Paschen takes the reader on a journey through the stages of life, from birth to death, and beyond. The poem is both tender and awe-inspiring, and it speaks to the human desire for meaning, purpose, and transcendence. Whether read as a celebration of life or a meditation on mortality, Birth Day is a work of great beauty and significance, and one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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