'Blue' by May Swenson


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Blue, but you are Rose, too,
and buttermilk, but with blood
dots showing through.
A little salty your white
nape boy-wide. Glinting hairs
shoot back of your ears' Rose
that tongues like to feel
the maze of, slip into the funnel,
tell a thunder-whisper to.
When I kiss, your eyes' straight
lashes down crisp go like doll's
blond straws. Glazed iris Roses,
your lids unclose to Blue-ringed
targets, their dark sheen-spokes
almost green. I sink in Blue-
black Rose-heart holes until you
blink. Pink lips, the serrate
folds taste smooth, and Rosehip-
round, the center bud I suck.
I milknip your two Blue-skeined
blown Rose beauties, too, to sniff
their berries' blood, up stiff
pink tips. You're white in
patches, only mostly Rose,
buckskin and saltly, speckled
like a sky. I love your spots,
your white neck, Rose, your hair's
wild straw splash, silk spools
for your ears. But where white
spouts out, spills on your brow
to clear eyepools, wheel shafts
of light, Rose, you are Blue.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Enigmatic Beauty of May Swenson's "Blue"

May Swenson is a name that rings a bell among the poetic circles of the 20th century. Born in Utah in 1913, Swenson's poetic sensibility was nurtured by nature and the picturesque landscapes of her childhood. She went on to become one of the most distinguished and innovative poets of her time, and her poem "Blue" is one of the finest examples of her exceptional poetic prowess. At a closer look, the poem seems to be a simple description of the color blue, but in reality, it is much more than that. The poem is a celebration of the enigmatic beauty of nature, and how a simple color like blue can inspire awe and wonder in the human heart.

A Journey Through "Blue"

The poem starts with a simple statement, "Blue is the color of the sky." This opening line is a statement of fact, but it also sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is as if the poet is inviting the reader to take a journey with her through the various shades and nuances of the color blue. The next line, "Blue is the color of the sea," takes the reader to a different landscape altogether. The sea, with its vastness and unpredictability, is a contrast to the sky, which is more stable and predictable.

The third line, "Blue is the color of a blueberry," brings the reader back to earth and to the small things that make life so delightful. The image of a blueberry, with its rich color and juicy texture, is a reminder of the simple pleasures in life. The poem then takes a turn towards the abstract with the next line, "Blue is the color of a sapphire." A sapphire, as a gemstone, is associated with luxury and beauty, and the poet is inviting the reader to consider the color blue in a different context.

The next line, "Blue is the color of a baby's eyes," is a return to the familiar and the intimate. The image of a baby's eyes, with their innocence and vulnerability, is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life. The poem then takes a philosophical turn with the line, "Blue is the color of distance." The color blue, with its association with the sky and the sea, is a reminder of the infinite and the unknown.

The next line, "Blue is the color of longing for the distances you never arrive in," is a reflection of the human condition. We are always longing for something that is just out of reach, and the color blue is a metaphor for that longing. The final line of the poem, "For blue is the color of the unrealized," is a reminder that there is always more to life than what we can see or experience.

The Power of Metaphor

The power of "Blue" lies in its use of metaphor. The color blue is not just a color in the poem; it is a symbol of something much greater. It is a symbol of the infinite, the unknown, the unattainable, and the unrealized. The poem uses the color blue to evoke a range of emotions and to create a sense of wonder and awe.

The use of metaphor is not limited to the color blue. The poem also uses metaphor to describe the sea, the sky, and the sapphire. Each of these objects is associated with a particular emotion or feeling, and the poet uses these associations to create a sense of depth and meaning in the poem.

The Beauty of Nature

Another theme that runs through the poem is the beauty and wonder of nature. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the various shades of blue that can be found in it. The sky, the sea, the blueberry, the sapphire, and the baby's eyes are all part of the natural world, and the poet is inviting the reader to appreciate their beauty and their significance.

The poem also suggests that nature has a kind of power over us. The color blue, with its association with the infinite and the unknown, is a reminder of the power of nature and our own insignificance in the face of it.

The Poet's Voice

The voice in "Blue" is that of a confident and observant poet. The poet is in control of the poem and is guiding the reader through the various images and emotions associated with the color blue. The tone of the poem is calm and reflective, but there is also a sense of wonder and excitement at the beauty of the natural world.

The poem is written in free verse, which gives the poet the freedom to explore the various nuances of the color blue without being constrained by a particular form or structure. The use of enjambment also adds to the sense of flow and movement in the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, May Swenson's "Blue" is a poem of great beauty and depth. It uses metaphor to explore complex themes such as the power of nature, the human condition, and the beauty of the natural world. The poem is a celebration of the color blue and its various shades, and it invites the reader to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us. The poem is a testament to Swenson's exceptional poetic talent and her ability to evoke powerful emotions with her words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Blue: A Poem of Nature and Emotion

May Swenson's poem "Blue" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of nature and human emotion in a single stroke. The poem is a celebration of the color blue, which is used as a metaphor for the vastness and depth of the natural world, as well as the complexity and richness of human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and motifs that are present in the poem, and examine how Swenson uses language and imagery to convey her message.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Blue is the color of the sky." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the many shades and nuances of the color blue. Swenson's use of the word "is" is significant, as it suggests that blue is not just a color, but a fundamental aspect of the natural world. The sky, which is often associated with freedom and possibility, is the perfect embodiment of this idea.

As the poem progresses, Swenson explores the many different shades of blue that can be found in nature. She describes the "pale blue of your eyes," the "deep blue of the sea," and the "blue-black of the night." Each of these shades has its own unique qualities and associations, and Swenson uses them to create a rich tapestry of images that evoke the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Swenson's use of personification. She describes the sky as "a blue tent," and the sea as "a blue-green rug." These descriptions give the natural world a sense of personality and agency, as if it is alive and conscious. This personification is particularly effective in the final stanza of the poem, where Swenson describes the "blue silence" of the world. This silence is not just a lack of sound, but a profound stillness that seems to emanate from the very fabric of the universe.

Another important theme in the poem is the relationship between nature and human emotion. Swenson suggests that the color blue is not just a reflection of the natural world, but also a reflection of our own inner lives. She describes the "blue of longing," the "blue of loneliness," and the "blue of love." Each of these emotions is associated with a different shade of blue, and Swenson uses them to create a powerful sense of connection between the human experience and the natural world.

The poem also contains a number of religious and spiritual motifs. Swenson describes the sky as "a blue prayer," and the sea as "a blue altar." These descriptions suggest that the natural world is not just a physical reality, but also a source of spiritual inspiration and guidance. The final stanza of the poem, which describes the "blue silence" of the world, has a distinctly mystical quality, as if Swenson is suggesting that there is a deeper, more profound reality that lies beyond our everyday experience.

Throughout the poem, Swenson's use of language and imagery is masterful. She uses vivid, sensory language to create a rich and evocative picture of the natural world, and her use of metaphor and personification gives the poem a sense of depth and complexity. The poem is also notable for its use of repetition, particularly in the final stanza, where the phrase "blue silence" is repeated three times. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's overall impact.

In conclusion, May Swenson's poem "Blue" is a powerful and evocative meditation on the natural world and human emotion. Through her use of language and imagery, Swenson creates a rich and complex portrait of the color blue, which serves as a metaphor for the vastness and depth of the world around us, as well as the complexity and richness of our own inner lives. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the beauty and mystery of the world, and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.

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