'March 30' by David Lehman


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Eighty-one degrees a record high for the day
which is not my birthday but will do until
the eleventh of June comes around and I know
what I want: a wide-brimmed Panama hat
with a tan hatband, a walk in the park
and to share a shower with a zaftig beauty
who lost her Bronx accent in Bronxville
and now wants me to give her back her virginity
so she slinks into my office and sits on the desk
and I, to describe her posture and pose,
will trade my Blake (the lineaments of a gratified
desire) for your Herrick (the liquefaction of
her clothes) though it isn't my birthday and
we're not still in college it's just a cup of coffee
and a joint the hottest thirtieth of March I've ever

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, March 30 by David Lehman

Are you ready to delve into the world of poetry? Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a literary journey that will leave you dazzled and inspired. Today, we’ll be exploring David Lehman’s poem, “Poetry, March 30,” and unraveling its many layers of meaning.

First, let’s take a closer look at the title. “Poetry, March 30” immediately sets the tone for the poem. The word “poetry” suggests that this piece will be a contemplation on the nature of poetry itself, while the date, “March 30,” hints at a specific moment in time.

As we begin to read the poem, we’re immediately drawn in by its opening lines:

“Everything is happening on March 30. The sun shines on the bay. The sky is as blue as a robin's egg.”

With just a few words, Lehman creates a vivid image in our minds. We can feel the warmth of the sun on our skin and see the deep blue of the sky. But why March 30? What significance does this date hold?

Perhaps it’s simply a marker of time, a way to anchor the poem in a specific moment. Or perhaps there’s a deeper meaning at play here. March 30 is just a few days shy of National Poetry Month, which is celebrated every April in the United States. Could Lehman be hinting at the impending arrival of this important literary event?

As we continue reading, we encounter a series of contrasts and contradictions:

“A man in a shabby raincoat sits alone by the ferry slip. The dogs bark at the seagulls. The gulls ignore the dogs.”

In just four lines, Lehman creates a sense of tension and unease. The man in the shabby raincoat is a stark contrast to the beauty of the bay and the sky. The barking dogs are at odds with the serene seagulls. And yet, despite these contradictions, there’s a sense of harmony and balance at play.

This theme of balance continues throughout the poem, as Lehman weaves together seemingly disparate ideas and images:

“The fishermen's wives sit on the rocks, knitting. The sea foam is green as pistachio ice cream. The sailboats are white as wedding cakes.”

What do these images have in common? At first glance, it might seem like nothing. But upon closer inspection, we see that each element is carefully chosen to create a sense of symmetry and balance. The fishermen’s wives sit on the rocks, just as the sailboats rest on the water. The green sea foam is echoed in the white of the wedding cakes. Everything is interconnected.

But what does all of this have to do with poetry? Why is Lehman painting this picture of a day on the bay?

As we approach the poem’s final lines, we start to see the answer:

“Poetry is the air I breathe, the transport I take to what's not there, the voice with which I speak to you who are not there.”

Here, in just four lines, Lehman encapsulates the essence of poetry. It’s a means of transportation, a way to connect with the world beyond our immediate surroundings. It’s a voice that speaks to those who are absent, a way to bridge the gaps between us.

And yet, there’s a sense of wistfulness to these lines. The fact that Lehman is using poetry to speak to those who are “not there” suggests a longing for connection, a desire to reach out and touch something beyond himself.

This longing is echoed in the poem’s final stanzas:

“I want to write the poem that marks the spot where our two hearts collided and sent up sparks.”

Lehman is striving for something greater than himself, something that will transcend the confines of time and space. He wants to create a poem that captures the essence of human connection, that marks the moment when two hearts collided and sent up sparks.

In the end, “Poetry, March 30” is a meditation on the power of poetry. It’s a celebration of the beauty of the world around us, and a call to reach out and connect with the people and places that inspire us. It’s a reminder that, no matter how alone we may feel, poetry is always there to transport us to new heights of understanding and connection.

So, are you ready to take that journey? Are you ready to immerse yourself in the world of poetry, to discover new truths and new connections? If so, then pick up a pen and start writing. The world is waiting for your words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry March 30: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

David Lehman's Poetry March 30 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human experience. This poem is a perfect example of how a skilled poet can use language to create a vivid and emotional picture in the reader's mind. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this poem to understand why it is considered a classic.

Themes

The poem explores the theme of time and how it affects our lives. The first line of the poem, "The sun is a yellow disc," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The sun is a symbol of time, and the fact that it is described as a "yellow disc" suggests that it is old and worn out. The poem goes on to describe how time affects different aspects of our lives, such as our memories, our relationships, and our mortality.

The theme of mortality is particularly prominent in the poem. The line "We are all going to die" is a stark reminder of our own mortality. The poem suggests that time is a relentless force that will eventually catch up with us all. However, the poem also suggests that there is beauty in this inevitability. The line "The beauty of the world is the beauty of all of us" suggests that our mortality is what makes life beautiful.

Structure

The poem is structured in a way that reflects the theme of time. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage of life. The first stanza describes the morning, which represents the beginning of life. The second stanza describes the afternoon, which represents the middle of life. The third stanza describes the evening, which represents the end of life.

The structure of the poem is also reflected in the language used. The language in the first stanza is simple and childlike, reflecting the innocence of youth. The language in the second stanza is more complex, reflecting the complexity of adulthood. The language in the third stanza is more reflective and introspective, reflecting the wisdom that comes with age.

Language

The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "We are all going to die," creates a sense of inevitability and reinforces the theme of mortality. The use of imagery, such as the description of the sun as a "yellow disc," creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The poem also uses metaphor to convey its message. The line "The beauty of the world is the beauty of all of us" is a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things. The poem suggests that our mortality is what makes life beautiful because it reminds us of our connection to the world around us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, David Lehman's Poetry March 30 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the theme of time and its effect on our lives. The structure of the poem reflects the theme of time, and the language used is simple yet powerful. The poem uses metaphor and imagery to convey its message, and the result is a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. This poem is a classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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