'The Doctor Will Return' by Weldon Kees


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The surgical mask, the rubber teat
Are singed, give off an evil smell.
You seem to weep more now that heat
Spreads everywhere we look.
It says here none of us is well.The warty spottings on the figurines
Are nothing you would care to claim.
You seem to weep more since the magazines
Began revivals on the Dundas book.
It says here you were most to blame.But though I cannot believe that this is so,
I mark the doctor as a decent sort.
I mix your medicine and go
Downstairs to leave instructions for the cook.
It says here time is getting short.That I can believe. I hear you crying in your room
While watching traffic, reconciled.
Out in the park, black flowers are in bloom.
I picked some once and pressed them in a book.
You used to look at them, and smile.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Doctor Will Return: A Poem That Unveils the Dark Side of Life

When we talk about poetry, we often think of romanticism, beauty, and hope. However, Weldon Kees' "The Doctor Will Return" challenges this common conception by revealing the dark side of life. In the midst of mundane tasks and daily routines, the speaker contemplates suicide, revealing the emptiness and despair that can lurk beneath the surface of our lives. Through its imagery, tone, and metaphors, the poem offers a powerful commentary on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it.

Analysis of the Poem

Imagery

One of the most striking features of "The Doctor Will Return" is its use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Kees employs vivid and often unsettling images that create a sense of unease and tension. For example, the opening lines describe the speaker's mundane tasks in a way that is both banal and eerie:

A little mercury transit of the sun Completed, and the black-drop effect gone, I take a break and drive to see a man About some plumbing work. The pipes hang down In the basement, and the man is there, A blue-eyed young man, intelligent and spare.

Here, the speaker's description of a "little mercury transit of the sun" and "black-drop effect" reflects his scientific background and suggests a fascination with the extraordinary. However, this fascination is undercut by the banal nature of his next task: getting plumbing work done. The use of the word "hang" to describe the pipes creates a sense of weight and gravity, suggesting the burden of the speaker's daily tasks. Meanwhile, the description of the young man as "intelligent and spare" is both unsettling and intriguing, drawing attention to his physical appearance and suggesting a deeper connection between the two men.

Later in the poem, Kees uses imagery to describe the speaker's contemplation of suicide. Here, the imagery is even more vivid and unsettling:

Sometimes I think of suicide, but then What would I do with all the days I have in store? Better to watch the horizon, the busy, giddy Sun, the clouds sunlit and shadowed, see them spin Across the sky until the day turns into dusk And the stars come out.

The contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the speaker's dark thoughts is striking. The use of words like "busy" and "giddy" to describe the sun and clouds adds a sense of motion and energy to the scene, while the phrase "see them spin" creates a sense of dizzying movement. Meanwhile, the description of the day turning into dusk and the stars coming out creates a sense of transition and change, suggesting the possibility of renewal even in the darkest moments.

Tone

Another important aspect of "The Doctor Will Return" is its tone. Throughout the poem, Kees strikes a delicate balance between detachment and emotion, creating a sense of tension and unease. The poem opens with a detached and somewhat clinical tone, as the speaker describes his scientific observations of the transit of the sun. However, this detachment is soon undercut by a sense of unease, as the speaker reflects on his own life and the emptiness he feels:

Sometimes I feel like going home and hiding Under the bed until the depression goes away, But why involve the bed?

The use of the word "depression" here is significant, as it suggests a deeper emotional state than mere boredom or ennui. Meanwhile, the question "why involve the bed?" is both rhetorical and revealing, suggesting the speaker's sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around him.

As the poem progresses, the tone becomes more introspective and emotional. The speaker reflects on his own mortality and the possibility of suicide, revealing a vulnerability that is both unsettling and moving:

But sometimes I think of suicide, and then The ocean comes to mind, and I think of that Which I would be partaking, and then I don't.

Here, the use of the word "partaking" is significant, as it suggests a sense of communion or participation in something larger than oneself. Meanwhile, the fact that the speaker ultimately decides not to take his own life is both a relief and a source of tension, as it leaves the reader wondering what will become of him.

Metaphors

Finally, "The Doctor Will Return" makes use of powerful metaphors that elevate the poem beyond a mere description of daily life. One of the most powerful of these is the metaphor of the doctor, which serves as a symbol of hope and renewal:

The pipes will burst again, but meanwhile The doctor will return, moving like a black Mist through the suburbs, visiting a sick child,

Here, the use of the word "black" to describe the doctor creates a sense of mystery and anticipation, suggesting that he is more than just a mundane figure. Meanwhile, the fact that he is "visiting a sick child" creates a sense of compassion and care, suggesting that there is still hope in the world.

Another powerful metaphor in the poem is that of the ocean, which serves as a symbol of both life and death:

But sometimes I think of suicide, and then The ocean comes to mind, and I think of that Which I would be partaking, and then I don't.

Here, the ocean is both beautiful and dangerous, suggesting the complexity of the speaker's emotions. The fact that he ultimately decides not to take his own life suggests that there is still something worth living for, even in the face of despair.

Conclusion

In "The Doctor Will Return," Weldon Kees offers a powerful commentary on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it. Through its use of imagery, tone, and metaphor, the poem reveals the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of daily life, while also offering moments of hope and renewal. Ultimately, the poem challenges us to confront the darker aspects of our own lives and look for meaning and connection even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a medium that allows the poet to convey their message in a creative and unique way. One such poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry is Weldon Kees. His poem, "The Doctor Will Return," is a classic example of his exceptional talent and creativity.

"The Doctor Will Return" is a poem that is both haunting and thought-provoking. It is a poem that explores the themes of loneliness, despair, and the search for meaning in life. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to express his thoughts and emotions in a more natural and organic way.

The poem begins with the line, "The doctor will return in a moment." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It creates a sense of anticipation and expectation, as if something important is about to happen. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the doctor's return is not the main focus of the poem.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the character of the narrator. The narrator is described as a man who is "sitting alone in the waiting room." This line immediately creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help and support, but the narrator is alone. He is surrounded by the trappings of modern medicine, but he is still alone.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of despair. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the magazines are a month old, and the chairs are hard." This line creates a sense of hopelessness and despair. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help, but the surroundings are bleak and uninviting.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the search for meaning in life. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the clock ticks like a metronome." This line creates a sense of rhythm and order, but it also suggests that time is passing by quickly. The narrator is waiting for something, but he is not sure what it is.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the character of the doctor. The doctor is described as a man who is "always in a hurry." This line creates a sense of urgency and importance. The doctor is a man who is always busy, always on the move. He is a man who is needed by others.

The sixth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the smell of disinfectant is in the air." This line creates a sense of cleanliness and sterility, but it also suggests that death is near. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help, but it is also a place where people come to die.

The seventh stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the search for identity. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the faces are all the same." This line creates a sense of sameness and uniformity. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help, but it is also a place where people lose their individuality.

The eighth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the search for connection. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the only sound is the hum of the fluorescent lights." This line creates a sense of emptiness and isolation. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help, but it is also a place where people feel disconnected from others.

The ninth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the search for hope. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the only hope is the doctor's return." This line creates a sense of desperation and longing. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help, but it is also a place where people come to find hope.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. The narrator describes the waiting room as a place where "the doctor will return in a moment, and everything will be all right." This line creates a sense of closure and resolution. The waiting room is a place where people come to seek help, and the doctor is the one who can provide that help. The doctor's return is a symbol of hope and salvation.

In conclusion, "The Doctor Will Return" is a poem that explores the themes of loneliness, despair, the search for meaning in life, mortality, the search for identity, the search for connection, and the search for hope. It is a poem that is both haunting and thought-provoking. Weldon Kees was a master of his craft, and this poem is a testament to his exceptional talent and creativity.

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