'Death Of The Kapowsin Tavern' by Richard Hugo


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I can't ridge it back again from char.
Not one board left. Only ash a cat explores
and shattered glass smoked black and strung
about from the explosion I believe
in the reports. The white school up for sale
for years, most homes abandoned to the rocks
of passing boys--the fire, helped by wind
that blew the neon out six years before,
simply ended lots of ending.

A damn shame. Now, when the night chill
of the lake gets in a troller's bones
where can the troller go for bad wine
washed down frantically with beer?
And when wise men are in style again
will one recount the two-mile glide of cranes
from dead pines or the nameless yellow
flowers thriving in the useless logs,
or dots of light all night about the far end
of the lake, the dawn arrival of the idiot
with catfish--most of all, above the lake
the temple and our sanctuary there?

Nothing dies as slowly as a scene.
The dusty jukebox cracking through
the cackle of a beered-up crone--
wagered wine--sudden need to dance--
these remain in the black debris.
Although I know in time the lake will send
wind black enough to blow it all away.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Death of the Kapowsin Tavern: A Critical Analysis

Richard Hugo's poem "Death of the Kapowsin Tavern" is a haunting and evocative work of art that explores themes of decay, loss, and the passage of time. Written in 1967, the poem speaks to the enduring power of place, and the emotions that can be stirred up by a simple building, abandoned and forgotten.

Historical Context

The Kapowsin Tavern, located in Pierce County, Washington, was a popular watering hole and gathering spot during the early 20th century. The tavern was a hub of activity, serving lumberjacks, miners, and other workers who labored in the surrounding forests and mountains. The building was constructed in 1910, and for many years it was the only structure in the area, making it a vital part of the community.

The Decay of a Once Vibrant Place

In "Death of the Kapowsin Tavern," Hugo describes the tavern as it appears in its abandoned state. The building is a shadow of its former self, with the floorboards creaking and the walls covered in graffiti. The roof has collapsed, and the windows are shattered. Hugo's descriptions of the tavern are vivid and detailed, painting a picture of a place that is at once eerie and melancholy.

The poem begins with an image of the tavern's interior, with Hugo describing the "tables and chairs/Stacked in the center of the room/On top of the pool table." This image immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the tavern has been abandoned for some time, and that it has become a place of neglect and decay.

As the poem progresses, Hugo describes the effects of time on the building, with the roof collapsing and the walls covered in graffiti. He also notes the changes that have occurred in the surrounding landscape, with the trees that once surrounded the tavern now gone.

The Power of Place

Despite the decay and neglect that surround the Kapowsin Tavern, Hugo's poem is infused with a sense of nostalgia and longing. The tavern is more than just a building; it is a symbol of a bygone era, of a time when life was simpler and the world was less complicated.

Through his descriptions of the tavern, Hugo captures the essence of a place that was once vibrant and alive, and he does so in a way that is both poignant and haunting. The building may be in ruins, but its memory lives on, and its history is an important part of the landscape.

Interpretation

At its core, "Death of the Kapowsin Tavern" is a poem about the passage of time and the power of memory. The tavern may be gone, but its memory lives on, and Hugo's poem is a tribute to the enduring power of place.

The poem is also an exploration of the nature of decay and neglect, and the emotions that can be stirred up by a place that has been abandoned and forgotten. Hugo's descriptions of the tavern are vivid and haunting, and they serve as a reminder of the transience of all things.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Death of the Kapowsin Tavern" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of decay, loss, and the passage of time. Through his descriptions of the tavern, Hugo captures the essence of a place that was once alive and vibrant, and he does so in a way that is both poignant and haunting.

The poem is a testament to the power of memory and the enduring legacy of place, and it serves as a reminder of the transience of all things. Despite the passage of time and the decay of the tavern, its memory lives on, and its history is an important part of the landscape.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Death of the Kapowsin Tavern: A Poem of Loss and Nostalgia

Richard Hugo’s “The Death of the Kapowsin Tavern” is a poem that captures the essence of loss and nostalgia. The poem is a reflection on the destruction of a beloved tavern that was once a hub of community life. The poem is a lament for the loss of a place that was once a source of comfort and familiarity for the speaker and his community.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which captures a different aspect of the speaker’s relationship with the tavern. The first stanza describes the physical destruction of the tavern. The speaker describes how the tavern was “burned down” and how the “smoke still rises” from the ruins. The speaker’s use of the present tense in describing the smoke rising from the ruins suggests that the destruction of the tavern is an ongoing process. The speaker’s use of the present tense also suggests that the tavern is still alive in the memories of those who knew it.

The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the role that the tavern played in the speaker’s life. The speaker describes how the tavern was a place where he and his friends would “drink and talk” and “laugh and cry.” The speaker’s use of the past tense in describing his experiences at the tavern suggests that these experiences are now gone forever. The speaker’s use of the past tense also suggests that the tavern was a place of comfort and familiarity for him.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the larger significance of the tavern’s destruction. The speaker describes how the destruction of the tavern is a symbol of the larger changes that are taking place in the world. The speaker describes how “the world is changing” and how “the old ways are dying.” The speaker’s use of the present tense in describing the changes that are taking place in the world suggests that these changes are ongoing and that they are having a profound impact on the speaker and his community.

One of the most striking aspects of “The Death of the Kapowsin Tavern” is the way in which it captures the sense of loss and nostalgia that is felt by the speaker and his community. The speaker’s use of the present tense in describing the smoke rising from the ruins of the tavern suggests that the tavern is still alive in the memories of those who knew it. The speaker’s use of the past tense in describing his experiences at the tavern suggests that these experiences are now gone forever. The speaker’s use of the present tense in describing the changes that are taking place in the world suggests that these changes are ongoing and that they are having a profound impact on the speaker and his community.

Another striking aspect of “The Death of the Kapowsin Tavern” is the way in which it captures the sense of community that was once present at the tavern. The speaker describes how the tavern was a place where he and his friends would “drink and talk” and “laugh and cry.” The speaker’s use of the past tense in describing his experiences at the tavern suggests that these experiences are now gone forever. The speaker’s use of the present tense in describing the smoke rising from the ruins of the tavern suggests that the tavern is still alive in the memories of those who knew it. The speaker’s use of the present tense in describing the changes that are taking place in the world suggests that these changes are ongoing and that they are having a profound impact on the speaker and his community.

In conclusion, “The Death of the Kapowsin Tavern” is a poem that captures the essence of loss and nostalgia. The poem is a reflection on the destruction of a beloved tavern that was once a hub of community life. The poem is a lament for the loss of a place that was once a source of comfort and familiarity for the speaker and his community. The poem is a reminder that the past is never truly gone and that the memories of those who knew it will always keep it alive.

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