'Cemetery' by Bill Knott


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The Unsubscriber2000Who whispers here is forgotten.Saliva's emptiest fruit
adorns the stones,
words ripening your mouth
to a spoilation
of silence.Who speaks here
reads a text that downloads
the screen of his fingernail,
through which nothing's visible
as glass is.For the memorial
we must kneel
to pick each flower
from amongst its modifiers:
but to do that
one needs a hand bared
of all uses, of all trades:
as ours is not.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Cemetery: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Poetry is a form of art that is capable of evoking a wide range of emotions in the reader. It can make us happy, sad, or even angry. However, the real beauty of poetry lies in its ability to speak to our soul and awaken our imagination. Bill Knott is one such poet who has mastered the art of poetic expression, and his work "Cemetery" is a masterpiece that embodies the true essence of poetry.

The Poem

"Cemetery" is a poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. It is a 30-line poem that is divided into three stanzas. Each stanza has ten lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABAAB CBCCB. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no set meter or rhyme scheme.

The Analysis

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line "Grave markers like teeth in the earth," which is a powerful image that immediately draws the reader's attention. The use of the word "teeth" creates a sense of foreboding and reminds us of our own mortality. The next line "Names etched in granite, cold and final," reinforces this idea and emphasizes the permanence of death.

As we move further into the stanza, we see the poet describing the cemetery as a place of rest. He uses the metaphor of a bed to describe the graves and says that the dead are "sleeping in the earth." This creates a peaceful image and suggests that the dead have found peace in their final resting place.

The second stanza takes a different turn and explores the idea of the afterlife. The poet asks the rhetorical question, "What if they wake to find us gone?" This line is powerful because it forces the reader to consider their own mortality and the possibility of an afterlife. The use of the word "they" suggests that the dead are not really gone but are merely waiting for us in another world.

The rest of the stanza is a beautiful description of the afterlife. The poet uses vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and beauty. He describes the afterlife as a place of "amber light" and "frosty air." The use of these sensory details creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and suggests that the afterlife is a place of peace and beauty.

The final stanza of the poem brings us back to the present and reminds us of the fleeting nature of life. The poet says, "We sit on the benches and watch the sunset," which is a reminder that life is short and that we should savor every moment. The line "Soon we too will be names etched in granite" reinforces this idea and emphasizes the inevitability of death.

The final two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The poet says, "But for now, we sit and breathe the air, and watch the dead sleep in the earth." These lines are a reminder that life goes on and that we should appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

The Interpretation

"Cemetery" is a poem that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem is a powerful reminder of our own mortality and the inevitability of death. However, the poem is also a celebration of life and a reminder that we should appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

The poem explores the idea of the afterlife and suggests that it is a place of peace and beauty. The use of vivid imagery creates a sense of wonder and suggests that there is more to life than just this world. The poem also reminds us that we should savor every moment of life and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Cemetery" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem is a powerful reminder of our own mortality and the beauty of life. The use of vivid imagery creates a sense of wonder and suggests that there is more to life than just this world. Bill Knott is a master of poetic expression, and "Cemetery" is a testament to his skill and talent.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Cemetery: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry

If you are a poetry lover, you must have heard of the famous poem "Poetry Cemetery" by Bill Knott. This satirical masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of the poetry world. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and overall impact.

The poem begins with a description of a cemetery where the graves are not marked with names but with the titles of poems. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a scathing critique of the poetry world. The speaker of the poem is a visitor to the cemetery, who is shocked by what he sees. He describes the graves as "rows of headstones, each inscribed / With the title of a poem that died."

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the central theme of the poem. The cemetery is a metaphor for the poetry world, where poems are created, published, and then forgotten. The graves represent the poems that have been forgotten, buried, and left to decay. The use of the word "died" emphasizes the idea that these poems are no longer alive, and their creators have moved on to other things.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the graves in more detail. He notes that some of the graves are "freshly dug," while others are "crumbling." This contrast highlights the fleeting nature of poetry. Some poems are popular for a short time, while others are forgotten almost immediately. The use of the word "crumbling" suggests that even the most celebrated poems will eventually fade away.

The third stanza of the poem is where the satire really begins. The speaker notes that some of the graves are "marked with a single word," while others have "longer epitaphs." This is a reference to the trend in modern poetry to use minimalist language and avoid complex structures. The use of the word "epitaphs" suggests that these longer poems are already dead and buried.

The fourth stanza is where the poem becomes more explicit in its critique of the poetry world. The speaker notes that some of the graves are "decorated with wreaths and flowers," while others are "neglected." This is a reference to the way that some poets are celebrated and revered, while others are ignored or forgotten. The use of the word "neglected" suggests that these poets are not appreciated in their own time.

The fifth stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker notes that some of the graves are "vandalized," with "graffiti and obscene words." This is a reference to the way that some poets are attacked and criticized by their peers. The use of the word "obscene" suggests that these attacks are not just critical but also personal and hurtful.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on what he has seen. He notes that the cemetery is a "monument to our age," a testament to the fleeting nature of poetry and the way that it is celebrated and forgotten. The use of the word "monument" suggests that the cemetery is a warning to future generations about the dangers of the poetry world.

Overall, "Poetry Cemetery" is a masterful work of satire that critiques the poetry world in a subtle and nuanced way. The use of the cemetery as a metaphor is particularly effective, as it highlights the fleeting nature of poetry and the way that it is celebrated and forgotten. The poem is also notable for its use of language and literary devices, including metaphor, imagery, and alliteration.

In conclusion, "Poetry Cemetery" is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of the poetry world. It is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of poetry and the way that it is celebrated and forgotten. Bill Knott's masterful use of language and literary devices makes this poem a true masterpiece of satirical poetry.

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