'Block' by Hayden Carruth


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Right up there this side the Five Chimneys Cornersabout a mile south the Oneida line, this goddamn
granddaddy sugar maple block I tell you it'swhat you might call a real out-size block a old-time
ball-busting son of a bitch of a block laying by the sidethe road where that house with the busted porch is
the worn-out gray asphalt siding? the lawn salegoing April to November? you know where I
mean, this block if it was a redwood you could cuta hole in it for the tourists to drive through, a good
12 foot high just laying there by its stump, maybe about20 foot long. Well these guys are standing around
they got their chain saws, their malls, their axes, wedges,cant hooks, six-packs, a couple dogs, four five
kids, two pickups and a old Cat tractor coveredwith rust, these guys got pretty damn near anything
a man could need, four of them, wearing these greasyJohn Deere and Agway caps and old plaid shirts
half the buttons torn off. Day before yesterday iswhen I seen them about 7 A.M. I'm heading over
the city to that parking-lot job, yes ma'am is whatI say all day just put it over there and no sir
you can't park that thing here withouten you got asticker--a hell of a way to make a living, ain't it?
So next day, that's yesterday, I'm going by againand these guys are right there standing around
smoking talking looking at that goddamn block sameas before only I seen now they got maybe a cord
of stove wood busted off of it, and then this morningdamned if there ain't a woodpile near as big as a Grey-
hound bus when I go by must be a good twenty cordand these guys still standing around looking at what's
left of that block a big old bastard of a knottychunk laying there on the ground sort of reminds me
of a big heart a hell of a big heart like a bull's heartor a elephant's only of course a different color. Chips
and bark everywhere sawdust the yard's all litteredsnow and ice mud and beer cans why shit you know
how it looks you been working up firewood the sameplace three four days in a row. So this evening what
the hell I stop off at The Point myself for a couplewhat you might call compensating Friday-afternoon
beers on the way home so of course it's near darkwhen I get to Five Chimneys. The block is gone.
The woodpile is humungus. Like it's a new hillgrowing right there on the landscape and this lady
wearing baggy pants a red sweatshirt setting on what'sleft of the porch steps smoking a Winston I seen
the red pack right there on the step beside herand the guys are squatting on their gas cans leaning
against the pickups they got a case of Coors they're lookingat each other with their caps tipped onto the back
of their heads like they think they done a hell of a goodday's work setting around and talking and taking
a swipe at that goddamn block every once in a while.And you know what, I reckon they have. Ain't that
the life? How you figure those guys get so lucky?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Block: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Are you a fan of poetry? Do you appreciate the beauty of lyrical language and the power of words? If so, then you must have heard of the classic piece of literature, Poetry, Block by Hayden Carruth. This timeless masterpiece of poetic expression has captivated readers and critics alike since its publication in 1991.

At the heart of Poetry, Block is a deep exploration of the human experience. Carruth's collection of poems is a celebration of life, death, love, and everything in between. He paints vivid pictures of nature, human relationships, and the struggle for meaning in a world that can often seem cruel and unforgiving.

But what sets Poetry, Block apart from other collections of poetry is the way in which Carruth weaves together his themes and imagery. Rather than presenting a disconnected series of poems, Carruth creates a cohesive narrative that takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of the human condition.

One of the most striking features of Poetry, Block is the way in which Carruth uses language to create vivid and evocative images. His mastery of metaphor and simile is unparalleled, and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple phrases is truly remarkable.

For example, in the poem "Mornings With You," Carruth writes:

"I wake with you beside me, and the world begins again. The sun rises in your eyes, and I am reborn."

These simple lines capture the essence of the joy and renewal that can be found in a loving relationship. They convey a sense of hope and optimism that is rare in modern poetry.

Another standout feature of Poetry, Block is the way in which Carruth explores the themes of life and death. He confronts the inevitability of our mortality head-on, and yet somehow manages to find beauty and meaning in the face of our ultimate demise.

In the poem "Haying," Carruth writes:

"The hay, which is fearlessly beautiful and therefore unreadable, sways above the pitchfork tines."

Here, Carruth is reminding us of the impermanence of life, and yet at the same time he is celebrating the beauty that can be found in even the most fleeting of moments. It is this ability to find hope and joy in the face of adversity that makes Poetry, Block such a powerful and inspiring work of literature.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Poetry, Block is the way in which Carruth manages to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the entire collection. Each poem builds upon the last, creating a complex tapestry of meaning and emotion that is both compelling and thought-provoking.

In the final poem of the collection, "I Knew a Woman," Carruth brings everything full circle. He returns to the themes of love, life, and death, and reminds us that despite our struggles and hardships, there is always hope:

"So we found ourselves in a garden, and the tea rose there madly scented the air, and dark pleasure was all around us."

These lines are a testament to Carruth's skill as a poet and his deep understanding of the human experience. They remind us that even in our darkest moments, there is always the possibility of beauty and renewal.

In conclusion, Poetry, Block is a masterpiece of poetic expression that has stood the test of time. Through his mastery of language and imagery, Hayden Carruth has created a work of literature that is both beautiful and profound. If you are a fan of poetry, then you owe it to yourself to read this timeless classic.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Block by Hayden Carruth is a classic poem that has been widely studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. This poem is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to create a powerful and evocative image in the reader's mind. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the line "In the blockhouse the ammunition is piled." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately creates an image of a military fortress or bunker. The use of the word "blockhouse" is significant because it suggests a sense of confinement and isolation. The fact that the ammunition is piled inside the blockhouse further emphasizes this sense of confinement and suggests that the people inside are preparing for a battle or a siege.

The next line of the poem reads, "On the pier the fishermen are mending nets." This line creates a stark contrast to the previous line and suggests a sense of normalcy and routine. The use of the word "pier" suggests a sense of openness and freedom, which is in direct contrast to the blockhouse. The fact that the fishermen are mending nets suggests that they are preparing for a different kind of battle, one that is fought on the sea.

The third line of the poem reads, "The morning sun is shining." This line is significant because it suggests a sense of hope and optimism. The fact that the sun is shining suggests that there is a possibility for a new day and a new beginning. This line also creates a sense of contrast with the first line of the poem, which suggests a sense of darkness and confinement.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The air is clear and fresh." This line is significant because it suggests a sense of purity and cleanliness. The fact that the air is clear and fresh suggests that there is a possibility for renewal and rejuvenation. This line also creates a sense of contrast with the first line of the poem, which suggests a sense of dirtiness and confinement.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "The sea is calm and blue." This line is significant because it suggests a sense of peace and tranquility. The fact that the sea is calm and blue suggests that there is a possibility for serenity and calmness. This line also creates a sense of contrast with the first line of the poem, which suggests a sense of chaos and danger.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "But in the blockhouse the ammunition is piled." This line is significant because it brings the reader back to the beginning of the poem and reminds them of the sense of confinement and danger that was established in the first line. This line also suggests that the sense of hope and optimism that was established in the previous lines may be fleeting and temporary.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "And the fishermen are mending nets." This line is significant because it suggests that the fishermen are still preparing for their battle, even though the sea is calm and blue. This line also suggests that the sense of peace and tranquility that was established in the previous lines may be temporary and that there is always a possibility for danger and chaos.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "The morning sun is shining." This line is significant because it brings the reader back to the sense of hope and optimism that was established in the third line of the poem. This line suggests that even though there is danger and chaos in the world, there is always a possibility for renewal and rejuvenation.

The structure of the poem is significant because it creates a sense of repetition and cyclical movement. The poem begins and ends with the same line, which creates a sense of circularity and suggests that the events in the poem are part of a larger cycle. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "the ammunition is piled" and "the fishermen are mending nets," also creates a sense of repetition and suggests that these events are part of a larger pattern.

The language of the poem is significant because it creates a powerful and evocative image in the reader's mind. The use of words such as "blockhouse," "ammunition," and "mending nets" creates a sense of danger and urgency. The use of words such as "morning sun," "clear and fresh," and "calm and blue" creates a sense of hope and optimism. The contrast between these two sets of words creates a powerful image that suggests the complexity of the world and the constant struggle between danger and hope.

In conclusion, The Poetry Block by Hayden Carruth is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of danger, hope, and cyclical movement. The structure and language of the poem create a powerful image in the reader's mind and suggest the complexity of the world and the constant struggle between danger and hope. This poem is a classic example of how a poet can use language to create a powerful and evocative image in the reader's mind and is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or literature.

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