'To A Ten-Months' Child' by Donald Justice
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Late arrival, no
One would think of blaming you
For hesitating so.
Who, setting his hand to knock
At a door so strange as this one,
Might not draw back?
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Ten-Months' Child: A Masterpiece of Innocence and Wonder
Oh, what a joy it is to read a great poem that captures the essence of childhood and the beauty of the world through the innocence of a young child! Donald Justice's "To A Ten-Months' Child" is a masterpiece of such poetry, that not only celebrates the life of a little infant but also speaks to the deeper mysteries of existence and the human condition.
Background
Donald Justice (1925-2004) was an American poet, teacher, and critic who was widely regarded as one of the most important literary voices of the 20th century. Justice was known for his formalistic style, where he focused on the technical aspects of poetry such as meter, rhyme, and structure. His works often dealt with themes of love, loss, and memory.
"To A Ten-Months' Child" was first published in 1987, in Justice's collection of poems titled "New and Selected Poems". The poem is a tribute to an unnamed infant, who is described in loving detail as he explores the world around him.
Form and Structure
At first glance, "To A Ten-Months' Child" appears to be a simple poem with no visible rhyme or meter. However, a closer look reveals that the poem is structured into three stanzas of unequal length, each consisting of four lines.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by introducing the infant and his exploration of the world. The second stanza shifts the focus from the child to the natural world around him, and the third and final stanza brings the poem to a close by returning to the infant and his playful innocence.
Interpretation
The poem opens with the speaker addressing the infant, who is described as "a happy infant, like some naked angel/tumbling down the sky." The image of the infant as a "naked angel" connotes a sense of purity and innocence, as if the child is untainted by the world around him.
The speaker then goes on to describe the child's sense of wonder as he explores his surroundings, "Looking back at your own amazed beginnings/as though the world were all a waking dream." The phrase "amazed beginnings" implies that the child is just starting to discover the world, and his sense of wonder is infectious.
In the second stanza, the speaker shifts the focus to the natural world. The child is described as being "A part of all that grows and breathes and changes," suggesting that he is not separate from nature but rather a part of it.
The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the natural world, with images of "fields of daisies" and "the soft rain that falls and makes them greener." The use of imagery is particularly effective in this stanza, as it creates a vivid picture of the natural world and its beauty.
In the final stanza, the speaker returns to the infant, describing him as "a tiny king/Who has not learned to speak or walk or eat." The phrase "tiny king" implies that the child is the ruler of his own little world, and his innocence and wonder are his crown.
The poem ends with the speaker addressing the infant directly, "May you never lift a hand against yourself/Nor curse your days," suggesting that the speaker wishes the child a life free from pain and suffering.
Themes
At its core, "To A Ten-Months' Child" is a poem about innocence and wonder. The child is depicted as a pure, untainted being who is just starting to explore the world around him. The natural world is also portrayed as beautiful and wondrous, with the child being a part of it.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of growth and change. The child is described as being in the early stages of development, and the natural world is constantly changing and growing. This theme of growth and change is also reflected in the structure of the poem, which consists of three stanzas of unequal length that reflect the different stages of the child's growth.
Conclusion
"To A Ten-Months' Child" is a beautiful tribute to childhood and the wonder of the natural world. The poem is both simple and complex, with its use of vivid imagery and its themes of innocence, wonder, and growth. Donald Justice's formalistic style is on full display, as he uses structure and form to convey a sense of the child's development.
Overall, "To A Ten-Months' Child" is a masterpiece of innocence and wonder that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To A Ten-Months' Child: A Poem of Innocence and Wonder
Donald Justice's poem, To A Ten-Months' Child, is a beautiful and touching tribute to the innocence and wonder of childhood. Written in 1960, the poem captures the essence of a child's world, where everything is new and exciting, and every experience is a source of wonder and amazement. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the child directly, saying "Little one, you have been buzzing in the flowers." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem, with its gentle and affectionate address to the child. The image of the child buzzing in the flowers is a metaphor for the child's sense of wonder and exploration, as they discover the world around them. The flowers represent the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and the child's buzzing is a symbol of their curiosity and excitement.
The next few lines of the poem describe the child's physical appearance, with the speaker noting the child's "small hands" and "soft hair." These details serve to emphasize the child's vulnerability and innocence, and to highlight the contrast between the child's smallness and the vastness of the world around them. The speaker then goes on to describe the child's eyes, saying that they are "wide as cherries," which is another image of innocence and wonder.
The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker contemplates the nature of time and the passing of generations. The speaker says that the child is "a new world, my dear," and that they are "the last leaf on the tree." These lines suggest that the child represents a new beginning, a fresh start for the world, but also that they are the last of their kind, the final link in a chain of generations. This sense of transience and impermanence is a recurring theme in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of childhood and the passing of time.
The next stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker imagines the child's future and the challenges they will face. The speaker says that the child will "learn to walk in a world of pain," and that they will "learn to live with it." These lines are a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of life, and the difficulties that the child will inevitably encounter as they grow older. However, the speaker also offers a message of hope and resilience, saying that the child will "grow strong and strange and beautiful."
The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of wonder and innocence, as the speaker imagines the child's future experiences. The speaker says that the child will "taste the bitter and the sweet," and that they will "know the old desire." These lines suggest that the child will experience the full range of human emotions and desires, both good and bad, but that they will do so with a sense of wonder and curiosity. The final line of the poem, "And walk with us into the daylight," is a beautiful image of the child's journey through life, and their continued connection to the world around them.
In terms of imagery, the poem is full of rich and evocative language that captures the essence of childhood. The image of the child buzzing in the flowers is a particularly effective metaphor, as it conveys both the child's sense of wonder and their physical activity. The image of the child's eyes as "wide as cherries" is also a powerful one, as it suggests both innocence and a sense of potential. The use of the natural world as a backdrop for the poem is also effective, as it emphasizes the child's connection to the larger world around them.
Overall, To A Ten-Months' Child is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of childhood and the wonder and innocence that it represents. The poem's themes of transience, resilience, and the passing of generations are all handled with sensitivity and grace, and the imagery is both evocative and powerful. As a tribute to the beauty and complexity of childhood, this poem is a true masterpiece, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience.
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