'There's Got To Be A Morning After' by Daniel Nester


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I heard it once, smoothed-out
by gallons of coffee,
chest husking like a plow
and pulled it into a basement.
Cardigan-wrapped the next morning
and only then was it true, only then
was I so hungry I could eat at the roots of it,

and lay down like a napping aristocrat
dreaming of pendulums
potbellied, empurpled,
pissing outside, and my
boombox played it again, its notes
encircled by my poor shy ghosts
made quiet speeches to the wind
saluted this song's toasting.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"There's Got To Be A Morning After" by Daniel Nester: A Literary Criticism & Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem or heard a song that made you feel like it was speaking directly to you? That it was reflecting your own thoughts and emotions back to you? That is how I felt when I first read "There's Got To Be A Morning After" by Daniel Nester.

This classic poem, written in free verse, explores the aftermath of a devastating breakup. Nester's use of language is raw and honest, and his imagery is vivid and poignant. Through his words, he captures the pain, confusion, and longing that come with the end of a relationship. But he also offers a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new beginning.

At its core, "There's Got To Be A Morning After" is a poem about resilience. It is about the strength that we find within ourselves when we are faced with adversity. It is about the power of hope to sustain us even in the bleakest of circumstances.

The Structure

The structure of the poem is fairly simple, with short stanzas that are broken up by white space. This gives the poem a fragmented, disjointed feel that mirrors the speaker's emotional state. It also allows the reader to pause and reflect on each individual line, to let its meaning sink in before moving on to the next.

The poem is divided into two main sections, with the first section focusing on the pain of the breakup and the second section offering a glimmer of hope. The transition between these two sections is marked by the line "And then, one day," which serves as a turning point in the speaker's emotional journey.

The Language

One of the things that makes this poem so powerful is Nester's use of language. He does not shy away from the raw emotions that come with heartbreak; instead, he embraces them fully. His words are visceral and evocative, and they capture the pain and longing that the speaker feels with startling clarity.

For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Nester writes:

I miss you like a limb, a ghost limb that aches during the day, that tingles at night, that no longer exists.

These lines are both beautiful and heartbreaking. The metaphor of a "ghost limb" perfectly captures the sense of loss that the speaker feels, while the imagery of the limb tingling at night adds a sense of physical discomfort to the emotional pain.

Throughout the poem, Nester continues to use vivid and evocative language to create a rich emotional landscape. He writes of "the raw stumps of memory," of "the winds that carry your scent," and of "the sound of your voice in my ear." Each of these images is powerful in its own right, but they also work together to create a sense of longing and nostalgia that permeates the poem.

The Themes

At its core, "There's Got To Be A Morning After" is a poem about resilience and hope. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new beginning. This theme is most evident in the second half of the poem, where the speaker begins to look forward to the future.

For example, Nester writes:

And then, one day, there will be a morning that doesn't feel like a wound that doesn't ache and throb when I move.

This is a powerful moment in the poem, as the speaker begins to imagine a future where the pain of the breakup has faded. It is a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always the possibility of healing and renewal.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of memory and nostalgia. The speaker is haunted by memories of the past, and these memories are both a source of comfort and pain. On the one hand, they remind the speaker of happier times, but on the other hand, they also serve as a reminder of what has been lost.

Nester captures this tension beautifully in lines like:

The past is a treacherous harbor, where ships go to be forgotten, where sailors go to die.

These lines suggest that while the past may hold some comfort, it is ultimately a dangerous place to dwell. The speaker must find a way to move forward, to let go of the past and embrace the future.

The Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is the poem trying to say? Ultimately, I believe that "There's Got To Be A Morning After" is a poem about the power of hope. It is a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always the possibility of a new beginning.

The poem is also a powerful meditation on the nature of memory and nostalgia. It suggests that while it is important to remember the past, we must also be careful not to let it consume us. We must find a way to move forward, to let go of what has been lost and embrace what is to come.

Finally, the poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we are capable of finding strength and hope within ourselves. We may feel like we are missing a limb, but we will find a way to keep moving forward.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "There's Got To Be A Morning After" is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores themes of resilience, hope, memory, and nostalgia. Nester's use of language is raw and honest, and his imagery is vivid and evocative. Through his words, he captures the pain, confusion, and longing that come with the end of a relationship, but he also offers a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new beginning.

So if you are looking for a poem that will speak to your heart and soul, that will make you feel like someone out there understands what you are going through, then I highly recommend "There's Got To Be A Morning After" by Daniel Nester. It is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it is sure to touch your heart in ways that you never thought possible.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

There's Got To Be A Morning After: An Analysis of Daniel Nester's Classic Poem

Have you ever felt lost, hopeless, and alone? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought there was no way out? If you have, then you can relate to Daniel Nester's classic poem, "There's Got To Be A Morning After." This poem is a powerful and emotional piece that speaks to the human experience of struggle, pain, and the hope for a better tomorrow. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.

The poem begins with a powerful and evocative image: "I woke up in a ditch." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a stark and brutal image that conveys a sense of desperation and despair. The speaker is lost, alone, and in a dark place. However, despite this bleak beginning, the poem is ultimately a message of hope and resilience.

The first stanza of the poem continues with the image of the speaker in the ditch. The speaker describes the darkness around them, the cold, and the fear. The language used in this stanza is simple and direct, which adds to the sense of immediacy and urgency. The speaker is not mincing words or trying to be poetic; they are simply describing their experience.

In the second stanza, the speaker begins to reflect on their situation. They ask themselves, "How did I get here?" This is a common question that people ask themselves when they find themselves in difficult situations. The speaker is trying to make sense of their circumstances and understand how they ended up in this ditch. This stanza also introduces the idea of time. The speaker says, "I don't know how long I've been here." This line adds to the sense of disorientation and confusion that the speaker is feeling.

The third stanza is where the poem begins to shift. The speaker says, "But there's got to be a morning after." This line is the first glimmer of hope in the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that even though they are in a dark place, there is still the possibility of a better tomorrow. This line is also the title of the poem, which gives it added significance.

The fourth stanza continues with the theme of hope. The speaker says, "I can't give up now." This line is a powerful statement of resilience. The speaker is acknowledging that even though they are in a difficult situation, they cannot give up. They must keep going and keep fighting. This stanza also introduces the idea of faith. The speaker says, "I've got to believe." This line suggests that the speaker has faith in something, whether it be themselves, a higher power, or the universe.

The fifth stanza is the shortest stanza in the poem, but it is also one of the most powerful. The speaker says, "I'll find my way out." This line is a statement of determination. The speaker is confident that they will find a way out of their current situation. This line also suggests that the speaker is taking action and not just waiting for someone else to rescue them.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings everything together. The speaker says, "I'll climb out of this ditch." This line is a metaphor for overcoming adversity. The speaker is saying that they will not be defeated by their circumstances. They will climb out of the ditch and rise above their struggles. The final line of the poem, "And I'll see the morning light," is a powerful image of hope and renewal. The speaker is saying that even though they are in a dark place now, they will eventually see the light and find a better tomorrow.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and raw emotion. The language used in the poem is also simple and direct, which adds to the sense of immediacy and urgency.

The themes of the poem are universal and timeless. The poem speaks to the human experience of struggle, pain, and the hope for a better tomorrow. It is a message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The poem also touches on the themes of faith and hope, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is still the possibility of a better tomorrow.

In conclusion, Daniel Nester's classic poem, "There's Got To Be A Morning After," is a powerful and emotional piece that speaks to the human experience of struggle, pain, and the hope for a better tomorrow. The poem is a message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still the possibility of a better tomorrow. The poem's simple structure and direct language add to its sense of immediacy and urgency. This poem is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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