'April 19' by David Lehman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
We have too much exhibitionismand not enough voyeurism
in poetry we have plenty of bass
and not enough treble, more amber
beer than the frat boys can drink but
less red wine than meets the lip
in this beaker of the best Bordeaux,
too much thesis, too little antithesis
and way too much New York Times
in poetry we've had too much isolationism
and too few foreign entanglements
we need more Baudelaire on the quaid'Anjou more olive trees and umbrella pinesfewer leafless branches on the rue Auguste Comte
too much sociology not enough Garcia Lorca
more colons and dashes fewer commas
less love based on narrow self-interest
more lust based on a feast of kisses
too many novels too few poems
too many poets not enough poetry
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, April 19: A Masterpiece of American Poetry
David Lehman's "Poetry, April 19" is a masterpiece of American poetry that explores the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and death. Written in the form of a sonnet, this poem is a tribute to National Poetry Month, which is celebrated every April in the United States. Through rich imagery and figurative language, Lehman creates a vivid and haunting portrait of the human condition, where life and death are intertwined in a never-ending cycle of creation and destruction.
The Power of Poetry
From the very first line, Lehman establishes the central theme of the poem: the power of poetry to transcend time and space. He writes, "A poem is a city filled with streets and sewers" (1), likening poetry to a bustling metropolis that is both beautiful and ugly, sacred and profane. The image of a city is a powerful one, for it suggests that poetry is not some abstract idea, but a concrete reality that people can experience and explore.
Lehman goes on to describe poetry as "a map of a life, an inventory of loss" (2), suggesting that it is a record of our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and defeats. He notes that poetry is "a catalogue of remembered joys and pains" (3), a repository of our most cherished memories and deepest regrets. Through poetry, we can revisit the moments of our lives that matter most, reliving them with a depth of feeling that is often lacking in our everyday lives.
Life and Death
One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry, April 19" is the way in which Lehman explores the theme of life and death. He writes, "A poem is a list of things that might have been / true but for the persistence of the memory they depend on" (5-6), suggesting that poetry is a way of holding on to the past, of preserving the memories of those who have gone before us. Through poetry, we can transcend the limits of time and space, connecting with people who are long gone and places that have been lost to the ages.
Lehman also addresses the fragility of life in the poem, noting that "the end of a poem is where everything we've said / comes to nothing" (11-12). The final lines of a poem, like the final moments of a life, are often marked by a sense of closure and finality, a recognition that all things must come to an end. But even in death, Lehman suggests, there is the possibility of rebirth and renewal, for "a poem is a way of forgetting / what it remembers" (13-14).
The Beauty of Language
At its core, "Poetry, April 19" is a celebration of the beauty of language. Lehman revels in the power of words, exploring their sounds and rhythms, their nuances and shades of meaning. He writes, "The sound of syllables chanted in sequence / is like a clock ticking the time of your life away" (7-8), suggesting that the very act of speaking and writing poetry is a way of marking the passage of time.
Lehman also explores the way in which language can create beauty out of even the most mundane or ugly things. He notes that "the beauty of words is that they can be / both true and false, both real and imagined" (9-10), suggesting that language can transform even the most ordinary object into something magical and otherworldly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, April 19" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the power of language to capture the essence of life and death. Through rich imagery and figurative language, David Lehman creates a haunting and beautiful portrait of the human condition, where poetry serves as a map of our lives and a record of our joys and sorrows. Whether we are celebrating National Poetry Month or simply reveling in the beauty of language, this poem is a must-read for anyone who loves the art of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry April 19: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
David Lehman's Poetry April 19 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of the human experience. This poem is a tribute to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing that occurred on April 19, 1995. It is a powerful and moving piece of literature that speaks to the heart and soul of every reader.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement, "The sky is blue today." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions. The blue sky represents the beauty and serenity of life, which is contrasted with the tragedy and violence of the bombing that occurred on that fateful day.
Lehman's use of imagery is masterful, as he describes the "white clouds sailing" and the "green trees swaying." These images evoke a sense of peace and tranquility, which is shattered by the sudden and violent act of terrorism that took place in Oklahoma City. The contrast between the beauty of nature and the ugliness of human violence is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The poem then shifts to a more personal and emotional tone, as Lehman describes the impact of the bombing on the lives of the victims and their families. He writes, "The sun is shining / and the children are playing / but there is a sadness / in the air." This sadness is palpable and real, as the reader is reminded of the pain and suffering that the victims and their families have endured.
Lehman's use of language is also noteworthy, as he employs a variety of poetic devices to convey his message. He uses repetition to emphasize the impact of the bombing, as he repeats the phrase "April 19" throughout the poem. This repetition serves to reinforce the significance of the date and the tragedy that occurred on that day.
The poem also features a number of powerful metaphors, such as "the sky is a blue wound / that will not heal." This metaphor captures the sense of loss and pain that the victims and their families have experienced, as well as the enduring impact of the bombing on the community and the nation as a whole.
Lehman's use of imagery and metaphor is complemented by his skillful use of language and structure. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Lehman to experiment with different rhythms and patterns of language. This gives the poem a sense of fluidity and movement, which mirrors the ebb and flow of life itself.
The poem also features a number of powerful lines and phrases that are sure to resonate with readers. For example, Lehman writes, "We are all Oklahoma City / and the world will never be the same." This line captures the sense of unity and solidarity that emerged in the wake of the bombing, as well as the enduring impact of the tragedy on the world as a whole.
In conclusion, Poetry April 19 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of life and death, love and loss, and the beauty of the human experience. David Lehman's use of imagery, metaphor, language, and structure is masterful, and his message is both powerful and poignant. This poem is a tribute to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, but it is also a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power and beauty of poetry.
Editor Recommended Sites
Dev Wish I had known: What I wished I known before I started working onOpen Models: Open source models for large language model fine tuning, and machine learning classification
Training Course: The best courses on programming languages, tutorials and best practice
Defi Market: Learn about defi tooling for decentralized storefronts
Dev Curate - Curated Dev resources from the best software / ML engineers: Curated AI, Dev, and language model resources
Recommended Similar Analysis
Holy Sonnet VII: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow by John Donne analysisIt 's like the light, -- by Emily Dickinson analysis
We do not play on Graves by Emily Dickinson analysis
Sonnet 60: Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore by William Shakespeare analysis
Come slowly-Eden! by Emily Dickinson analysis
Nostalgia by Billy Collins analysis
The Georgics by Virgil analysis
By the Rivers of Babylon We Sat Down and Wept by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
My Heart's In The Highlands by Robert Burns analysis
Lara by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis