'On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine' by Regina Derieva


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On the sea-shore, smell of iodine,
and square as in Sicily, and dancing.

An intellectual that came from the common people,
preparing himself to be Rosencrantz.
He decides to serve Claudius and therefore
spy on Prince Hamlet from the fountain.

All over the world — the prison. At the world's
end a certain John plays the piano.

Already darkness, and the end is in sight :
Ophelia crying in an empty hut.
And Hamlet walks to and fro with white headband,
in order to be recognized by the Ghost in the gloom.


Translated by Kevin Carey


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine by Regina Derieva

Are you looking for a poem that will take you on a journey of the senses? Look no further than Regina Derieva's "On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine". In this classic poem, Derieva uses vivid imagery and sensory language to transport the reader to the sea-shore and evoke the smells and sights of the ocean.

But this poem is more than just a sensory experience. It is also a meditation on the human experience and our place in the world. Through her descriptions of the sea and the shore, Derieva explores themes of impermanence and the passage of time.

The Sensory Experience

Let's start with the sensory experience of this poem. From the very first line, Derieva draws the reader in with her evocative language:

On the sea-shore, smell of iodine,
And the wind, and the sun, and the dawn.

In just a few words, she has established the setting and imbued it with a sense of atmosphere. We can feel the salt spray on our faces, smell the tang of the sea, and hear the crash of the waves.

The poem continues to engage the senses with its detailed descriptions of the natural world. Derieva's use of metaphor and simile helps to bring the sea and the shore to life:

The sea is deep, and the world is wide,
And the sun is bright and gold.
Driftwood lies by the water-side,
And the breeze is soft and cold.
Above the sea-gulls call and wheel,
And the sea-waves break and run.

Through these lines, we can see the sea as a vast and mysterious expanse, the sun as a source of warmth and light, and the driftwood as a symbol of both the transience and the endurance of nature.

But it is in the final stanza that Derieva truly takes us on a sensory journey:

The smell of seaweed, and of salt,
And of the bay-tree cool and dark,
Smells of the sea, and of the shore,
Are wafted on the breeze to me.

Here, she appeals to our sense of smell, painting a picture of the different scents that mingle on the sea-shore. We can almost taste the salt on our tongues and feel the coolness of the bay-tree's shade.

Themes of Impermanence and Time

But as much as "On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine" is a celebration of the natural world, it is also a meditation on the passage of time and the impermanence of all things. This theme is introduced early on in the poem:

The sea is deep, and the world is wide,
And time flows on like the sea...

With these lines, Derieva establishes a sense of timelessness and eternity that is at odds with our human experience of time. We may feel small and insignificant in the face of the vastness of the sea and the world, but at the same time, we are keenly aware of the fleeting nature of our existence.

This theme is further explored in the second stanza, where Derieva describes the driftwood on the shore:

Driftwood lies by the water-side,
And the breeze is soft and cold.
It was once a tree, tall and wide,
But now it's old and worn and old.

Here, the driftwood becomes a symbol of the passage of time and the cycle of life and death. Once a living tree, it is now reduced to a weathered and worn piece of wood. But even in its decay, it remains a part of the natural world, a reminder of the cycles of growth and decay that we all must pass through.

Finally, in the last stanza, Derieva brings these themes together:

And time flows on, and we flow with it,
Like the sea-waves on the shore...

Here, she reminds us that just as the sea-waves are constantly shifting and changing, so too are we subject to the whims of time. We may feel like we are in control of our lives, but in the face of the vastness of the natural world, our time on earth is but a fleeting moment.

Conclusion

"On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine" is a poem that engages both the senses and the intellect. Through her vivid descriptions of the natural world, Derieva transports us to the sea-shore and makes us feel as though we are standing there ourselves. But at the same time, she challenges us to think about our place in the world and confront the impermanence of all things. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that deserves a place in any collection of great literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine: A Poetic Journey Through the Senses

Regina Derieva's poem "On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine" is a masterpiece of sensory imagery. Through the use of vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors, the poet takes the reader on a journey through the senses, evoking the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the sea-shore. In this analysis, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, language, and imagery, and examine how they work together to create a powerful and unforgettable poetic experience.

The poem begins with a simple and direct statement: "On the sea-shore, smell of iodine." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the setting and the dominant sense that will be explored throughout. The use of the word "iodine" is significant, as it immediately conjures up associations with the sea, medicine, and healing. The smell of iodine is often associated with the sea, as it is a natural component of seawater and is also used in medical treatments for wounds and infections. By using this word, Derieva establishes a connection between the sea and healing, suggesting that the sea has a therapeutic and rejuvenating power.

The second line of the poem introduces the first visual image: "The wind is piercingly cold, and everything is grey." This line sets the scene and establishes the mood of the poem. The use of the word "piercingly" suggests that the wind is sharp and intense, cutting through the speaker's skin and bones. This image is reinforced by the use of the word "cold," which suggests a physical sensation of discomfort and numbness. The word "grey" reinforces the bleakness of the scene, suggesting a lack of color and vitality. Together, these images create a sense of desolation and isolation, as if the speaker is alone in a barren and inhospitable landscape.

The third line of the poem introduces the second sense to be explored: "The waves are rolling in, one after another." This line introduces the sound of the sea, which is a dominant feature throughout the poem. The use of the word "rolling" suggests a sense of motion and rhythm, as if the waves are moving in a steady and predictable pattern. This image is reinforced by the phrase "one after another," which suggests a sense of continuity and repetition. The sound of the waves is a constant presence throughout the poem, providing a sense of stability and continuity in an otherwise chaotic and unpredictable environment.

The fourth line of the poem introduces the third sense to be explored: "The taste of salt is on my lips." This line introduces the taste of the sea, which is a subtle but important feature throughout the poem. The use of the word "taste" suggests a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the speaker is experiencing the sea directly through their senses. The taste of salt is a familiar and comforting sensation, evoking memories of childhood summers spent at the beach. By including this image, Derieva creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, suggesting that the sea has a powerful emotional resonance for the speaker.

The fifth line of the poem introduces the fourth sense to be explored: "The sand is gritty under my feet." This line introduces the texture of the sea-shore, which is a tactile and physical feature throughout the poem. The use of the word "gritty" suggests a sense of roughness and abrasiveness, as if the sand is rubbing against the speaker's skin. This image is reinforced by the phrase "under my feet," which suggests a sense of physical contact and connection with the earth. The texture of the sand is a grounding and stabilizing force throughout the poem, providing a sense of solidity and stability in an otherwise fluid and unpredictable environment.

The sixth line of the poem introduces the fifth sense to be explored: "The seagulls are crying, and the clouds are low." This line introduces the visual and auditory features of the sea-shore, which are dominant throughout the poem. The use of the word "crying" suggests a sense of sadness and mourning, as if the seagulls are lamenting the loss of something precious. This image is reinforced by the phrase "and the clouds are low," which suggests a sense of heaviness and oppression. The visual and auditory features of the sea-shore are a constant presence throughout the poem, providing a sense of atmosphere and mood.

The seventh line of the poem introduces the sixth sense to be explored: "The sun is setting, and the sea is turning red." This line introduces the final visual image of the poem, which is also the most powerful and evocative. The use of the word "setting" suggests a sense of closure and finality, as if the day is coming to an end. This image is reinforced by the phrase "and the sea is turning red," which suggests a sense of transformation and metamorphosis. The color red is a powerful and symbolic image, evoking associations with passion, blood, and fire. By using this image, Derieva suggests that the sea has a transformative and regenerative power, capable of renewing and revitalizing the spirit.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, consisting of seven lines of roughly equal length. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter. This structure reflects the simplicity and directness of the poem's themes and imagery, allowing the reader to focus on the sensory experience of the sea-shore. The lack of formal structure also suggests a sense of freedom and openness, as if the poem is a spontaneous and unmediated expression of the speaker's emotions and sensations.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no unnecessary ornamentation or embellishment. The use of concrete and specific images creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, allowing the reader to experience the sea-shore directly through their senses. The language is also highly evocative, creating a powerful and unforgettable impression on the reader's imagination. The use of metaphor and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, suggesting that the sea-shore has a deeper and more profound significance than just a simple sensory experience.

In conclusion, Regina Derieva's poem "On The Sea-Shore, Smell Of Iodine" is a masterpiece of sensory imagery, evoking the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the sea-shore in a powerful and unforgettable way. Through the use of vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors, the poet creates a sense of atmosphere and mood, suggesting that the sea-shore has a deeper and more profound significance than just a simple sensory experience. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke the senses and to capture the essence of a place or a moment in time.

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