'It Is March' by W.S. Merwin


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


It is March and black dust falls out of the books
Soon I will be gone
The tall spirit who lodged here has
Left already
On the avenues the colorless thread lies under
Old prices

When you look back there is always the past
Even when it has vanished
But when you look forward
With your dirty knuckles and the wingless
Bird on your shoulder
What can you write

The bitterness is still rising in the old mines
The fist is coming out of the egg
The thermometers out of the mouths of the corpses

At a certain height
The tails of the kites for a moment are
Covered with footsteps

Whatever I have to do has not yet begun

Editor 1 Interpretation

It Is March: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were standing outside on a beautiful day, the breeze blowing through your hair, and the world just felt right? That's exactly what W.S. Merwin's poem, "It Is March" does. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make this poem a classic.

Summary of "It Is March"

"It Is March" is a short poem that captures the essence of spring. The speaker begins by saying that it is March and the earth is awakening from its winter slumber. The trees are starting to bud, and the birds are starting to sing. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the world around them; the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the flowers are in bloom.

As the poem progresses, the speaker seems to become more and more ecstatic about the arrival of spring. They describe the "great happiness" that comes with the season and the feeling of being "alive again." The poem ends with the speaker declaring that "it is enough" to simply be alive and witness the beauty of the world.

Themes in "It Is March"

One of the main themes in "It Is March" is the cyclical nature of life. The poem begins with the earth awakening from its winter slumber, and the speaker describes the new life that is beginning to emerge. This theme is reinforced throughout the poem as the speaker talks about the buds on the trees and the birds that are starting to sing again.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of renewal and rebirth. Spring is often associated with renewal and new beginnings, and the speaker seems to be celebrating this idea in "It Is March." The speaker talks about the "great happiness" that comes with the season and the feeling of being "alive again." This theme is especially powerful when viewed in the context of Merwin's larger body of work, which often deals with the destruction of the natural world and the need to preserve it.

Finally, "It Is March" can also be seen as a celebration of the beauty of the natural world. The speaker describes the blue sky, the shining sun, and the blooming flowers in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world that is both vibrant and alive. This celebration of natural beauty is a common theme in Merwin's work, and it is one of the things that makes him such an important voice in contemporary poetry.

Symbols in "It Is March"

One of the main symbols in "It Is March" is the idea of new life. The poem begins with the earth awakening from its winter slumber, and this idea is reinforced throughout the poem as the speaker talks about the buds on the trees and the birds that are starting to sing again. This symbol is powerful because it represents the idea of renewal and new beginnings, which is a common theme in poetry and literature.

Another symbol in the poem is the idea of happiness. The speaker talks about the "great happiness" that comes with the arrival of spring, and this happiness is a symbol of the joy that can be found in the natural world. This symbol is especially powerful because it suggests that happiness can be found in the simple things in life, such as the beauty of nature.

Finally, the natural world itself can be seen as a symbol in "It Is March." The speaker describes the blue sky, the shining sun, and the blooming flowers in vivid detail, painting a picture of a world that is both vibrant and alive. This symbol is important because it represents the beauty and majesty of the natural world, which is a common theme in Merwin's work.

Literary Devices in "It Is March"

One of the main literary devices in "It Is March" is imagery. The speaker uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the natural world. The blue sky, the shining sun, and the blooming flowers are all described in detail, and this imagery helps to create a sense of the beauty and vibrancy of the world.

Another literary device in the poem is repetition. The phrase "it is March" is repeated several times throughout the poem, and this repetition helps to reinforce the idea of renewal and new beginnings that is central to the poem. Additionally, the repetition of the phrase "alive again" helps to create a sense of the speaker's excitement and joy at the arrival of spring.

Finally, "It Is March" can also be seen as an example of personification. The speaker describes the earth as "awakening" from its winter slumber, and this personification helps to create a sense of the natural world as a living, breathing entity. This personification is a common theme in Merwin's work, and it helps to create a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the natural world.

Conclusion

"It Is March" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of spring. The cyclical nature of life, the idea of renewal and rebirth, and the celebration of natural beauty are all important themes in the poem. Additionally, the use of symbols such as new life, happiness, and the natural world itself help to create a sense of the beauty and majesty of the world around us. Finally, the literary devices of imagery, repetition, and personification all help to create a sense of the speaker's excitement and joy at the arrival of spring. All these elements combined make "It Is March" a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

It Is March: A Poem of Renewal and Hope

Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and hope. It is a season that brings with it the promise of new beginnings, fresh starts, and endless possibilities. In his classic poem, It Is March, W.S. Merwin captures the essence of this season, painting a vivid picture of the natural world as it awakens from its winter slumber.

At its core, It Is March is a celebration of life and the cyclical nature of the seasons. The poem begins with a description of the world as it emerges from the darkness of winter:

"It is March and the wind is still cold but it brings the promise of spring and the first flowers"

Here, Merwin sets the stage for the rest of the poem, establishing the idea that even in the midst of the cold and darkness, there is always the promise of something new and beautiful on the horizon. The mention of the "first flowers" is particularly significant, as it represents the first signs of life after a long period of dormancy.

As the poem continues, Merwin describes the natural world as it begins to come alive once again. He writes:

"the trees are still bare but they are beginning to bud and the birds are returning"

This passage is particularly powerful, as it highlights the gradual process of renewal that takes place during the spring. The trees are still bare, but they are beginning to bud, indicating that life is slowly returning to the world. Similarly, the birds are returning, signaling the end of their winter migration and the beginning of a new season.

Throughout the poem, Merwin uses vivid imagery to bring the natural world to life. He describes the "green shoots" that are beginning to emerge from the ground, the "blossoming trees" that are bursting with new life, and the "singing birds" that fill the air with their joyful melodies. Through these descriptions, Merwin captures the beauty and vitality of the spring season, reminding us of the power of nature to renew and rejuvenate.

At its heart, It Is March is a poem about hope and the power of new beginnings. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of something better on the horizon. As Merwin writes:

"it is March and the world is beginning again"

These lines are particularly poignant, as they capture the essence of the poem's message. No matter how difficult things may seem, there is always the possibility of renewal and rebirth. Just as the natural world emerges from its winter slumber, so too can we emerge from our own periods of darkness and despair.

In conclusion, It Is March is a timeless poem that celebrates the beauty and vitality of the spring season. Through its vivid imagery and powerful message of hope, it reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the power of new beginnings. As we enter the spring season, let us take inspiration from Merwin's words and embrace the promise of renewal and rebirth that it brings.

Editor Recommended Sites

Data Catalog App - Cloud Data catalog & Best Datacatalog for cloud: Data catalog resources for multi cloud and language models
Ocaml Solutions: DFW Ocaml consulting, dallas fort worth
GraphStorm: Graphstorm framework by AWS fan page, best practice, tutorials
WebGPU Guide: Learn WebGPU from tutorials, courses and best practice
Javascript Book: Learn javascript, typescript and react from the best learning javascript book

Recommended Similar Analysis

Preludium to Europe by William Blake analysis
In a Garden by Sarah Teasdale analysis
The Lightning is a yellow Fork by Emily Dickinson analysis
To William Wordsworth by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
I'm Nobody! Who are you? by Emily Dickinson analysis
I felt a funeral in my brain, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Saturday At The Canal by Gary Soto analysis
Metrical Feet by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
A Song For St. Cecilia's Day, 1687 by John Dryden analysis
Apostrophe To Man by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis