'Coffee & Dolls' by April Bernard
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It was a storefront for a small-time numbers runner,
pretending to be some sort of grocery. Coffeemakers
and Bustello cans populated the shelves, sparsely.
Who was fooled. The boxes bleached in the sun,
the old guys sat inside on summer lawn chairs,
watching tv. The applause from the talk shows and game shows
washed out the propped-open door like distant rain.
It closed for a few months. The slick sedan disappeared.
One spring day, it reopened, this time a sign
decorated the window: COFFEE & DOLLS.
Yarn-haired, gingham-dressed floppy dolls
lolled among the coffee cans. A mastiff puppy,
the size and shape of a tipped-over fire hydrant,
guarded as the sedan and the old guys returned.
I don't know about you, but I've been looking
for a narrative in which suffering makes sense.
I mean, the high wail of the woman holding her dead child,
the wail that filled the street. I mean the sudden
fatal blooms on golden skin. I mean the crack deaths,
I mean the ice-cream truck that cruised the alphabets
and sold crack to the same deedle-dee-dee tune as fudgesicles.
I mean the raw scabs of the beaten mastiff, and many other things.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Coffee & Dolls: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
April Bernard's poem, Coffee & Dolls, is a piece of literary mastery that captures the essence of childhood memories and adult realities in a beautiful and thought-provoking manner. The poem is a journey through time and space, taking the reader from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood. With its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Coffee & Dolls offers a unique perspective on human experiences and emotions.
The Theme of Innocence
The theme of innocence is a dominant theme in the poem Coffee & Dolls. The poem begins by describing the narrator's childhood memories of playing with dolls and drinking coffee with her grandmother. The use of imagery and language in this section is particularly powerful, as the narrator describes the dolls as "pale and perfect" and the coffee as "strong and bitter." These descriptions create a contrast between the innocence of childhood and the harshness of reality.
As the poem progresses, the theme of innocence is further explored through the narrator's memories of playing with her sister. The narrator describes the games they played and the way they imagined their lives as adults. This section of the poem is particularly poignant, as it captures the joy and wonder of childhood. The use of language is evocative, with phrases such as "the world was a blue and green globe" and "our lives were a kind of music" creating a sense of innocence and beauty.
The Theme of Reality
The theme of reality is also a dominant theme in the poem Coffee & Dolls. As the narrator grows older, the innocence of childhood is replaced by the harshness of reality. This is symbolized by the dolls, which are described as being "put away in a box" and "forgotten." The use of imagery in this section is particularly powerful, as it captures the sense of loss and sadness that comes with growing up.
As the poem progresses, the theme of reality is further explored through the narrator's memories of her sister's death. The narrator describes the way in which she tried to make sense of the world and come to terms with her sister's passing. This section of the poem is particularly moving, as it captures the pain and confusion that comes with loss. The use of language is powerful, with phrases such as "I didn't know how to be in the world" and "the glass of the world had shattered" creating a sense of despair and hopelessness.
The Theme of Time
The theme of time is also a dominant theme in the poem Coffee & Dolls. The poem is a journey through time and space, taking the reader from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood. The use of imagery and language in this section is particularly powerful, as the narrator describes the passage of time in terms of seasons and weather. This creates a sense of the passage of time as a natural and inevitable process.
As the poem progresses, the theme of time is further explored through the narrator's memories of her sister's death. The narrator describes the way in which time seemed to stand still after her sister's passing, and how it took years for her to begin to heal. This section of the poem is particularly poignant, as it captures the sense of time as a powerful force that can both heal and hurt. The use of language is evocative, with phrases such as "the years had come and gone" and "the river of time flowed on" creating a sense of inevitability and continuity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, April Bernard's poem Coffee & Dolls is a masterpiece of literary expression that captures the essence of human experience. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem explores the themes of innocence, reality, and time in a way that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. The poem is a journey through time and space, taking the reader from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood. With its unique perspective on human experiences and emotions, Coffee & Dolls is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Coffee & Dolls: A Poem of Love and Loss
April Bernard’s Coffee & Dolls is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is a masterful work of art that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences in a few short stanzas. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the lines, “I drink coffee and look at dolls / and feel the heartbreak of twenty years ago.” These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they introduce the central themes of love and loss. The speaker is reminiscing about a past love, and the dolls serve as a symbol of the innocence and purity of that time. The act of drinking coffee is also significant, as it suggests a sense of comfort and familiarity in the midst of heartbreak.
The second stanza of the poem reads, “The dolls are dressed in the clothes / my mother made for them, / and I remember how I loved her / and hated her, too.” Here, the speaker reflects on her relationship with her mother, which is complicated and fraught with conflicting emotions. The dolls, dressed in clothes made by the mother, serve as a reminder of the speaker’s childhood and the love and resentment she felt towards her mother.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as it reads, “I remember the boy I loved / and how he looked at me / and how I looked away / and never saw him again.” This stanza captures the essence of the poem, as it speaks to the pain of lost love and the regret that comes with it. The speaker is haunted by the memory of the boy she loved, and the fact that she never had the chance to be with him again.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the passage of time, as the speaker says, “Now I am older than my mother was / when she made the dolls, / and the boy I loved is probably dead.” This stanza is a reminder that time waits for no one, and that the people and things we love will eventually fade away. The speaker is now older than her mother was when she made the dolls, and the boy she loved is likely no longer alive.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker’s own mortality, as she says, “I drink coffee and look at dolls / and feel the heartbreak of twenty years ago / and know that someday I will be dead / and someone else will drink coffee and look at dolls.” This stanza is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish the moments we have with the people and things we love. The speaker knows that someday she will be gone, but the dolls will remain, serving as a reminder of the love and loss she experienced in her lifetime.
In conclusion, April Bernard’s Coffee & Dolls is a masterful work of art that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. The poem speaks to the pain of lost love, the regret that comes with it, and the passage of time. The dolls serve as a symbol of innocence and purity, while the act of drinking coffee suggests a sense of comfort and familiarity in the midst of heartbreak. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must cherish the moments we have with the people and things we love.
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