'The Assassination' by Donald Justice
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It begins again, the nocturnal pulse.
It courses through the cables laid for it.
It mounts to the chandeliers and beats there, hotly.
We are too close. Too late, we would move back.
We are involved with the surge.
Now it bursts. Now it has been announced.
Now it is being soaked up by newspapers.
Now it is running through the streets.
The crowd has it. The woman selling carnations
And the man in the straw hat stand with it in their shoes.
Here is the red marquee it sheltered under.
Here is the ballroom, here
The sadly various orchestra led
By a single gesture. My arms open.
It enters. Look, we are dancing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Assassination: A Haunting Poem of Tragedy and Memory
When we think of assassination, we may imagine the shocking murder of a political figure or a public figure, an act of violence that shatters a community and leaves a lasting impact on history. But what about the personal, intimate impact of assassination, the loss of a loved one, a friend, or a neighbor? What happens to the memories and emotions of those left behind?
Donald Justice, the American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner, explores these questions in his haunting and powerful poem, "The Assassination." Published in 1975, the poem is a tribute to Justice's friend and fellow poet, Robert Lowell, who died in 1977. But more than a eulogy, "The Assassination" is a meditation on grief, memory, and the fragility of human relationships.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with a powerful opening line that sets the tone for the rest of the work: "It begins again, the nightly bleeding." Here, Justice creates a sense of urgency and repetition, as if this cycle of grief and loss is an inevitable part of life. The "nightly bleeding" suggests a wound that never fully heals, a reminder of the pain and trauma that the speaker has experienced.
The first section of the poem is filled with vivid and sensory imagery that captures the speaker's feelings of loss and disorientation. The image of the "white sheet" that "hangs from the clothesline" is a striking one, conjuring up a sense of emptiness and absence. The sheet is a symbol of the departed loved one, and its emptiness is a reminder of the void that has been left behind.
As the poem progresses, Justice uses a series of metaphors and symbols to explore the complex emotions of grief. The image of the "drowning man" is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of helplessness and despair. The man is "drenched in his own blood," further emphasizing the violence and trauma of the loss.
Perhaps the most haunting image in the poem is that of the "blind horse" who "wanders in circles." This image captures the sense of confusion and disorientation that often accompanies grief. The horse is blind, unable to see a clear path forward, and yet it continues to walk in circles, unable to escape the cycle of loss and pain.
The final section of the poem is a reflection on memory and the power of the past to shape our present experiences. The speaker remembers a time when he and his friend walked together in the rain, and he realizes that this memory is all that he has left. He says, "What is there to do but remember that now?" This line captures the sense of helplessness and resignation that often accompanies grief, as the speaker realizes that he cannot change the past and must simply accept his loss.
Interpretation of the Poem
At its core, "The Assassination" is a meditation on the fragility of human relationships and the power of loss to shape our lives. The poem explores the complex emotions of grief, from the initial shock and trauma to the ongoing sense of loss and disorientation.
Through his use of vivid and powerful imagery, Justice captures the visceral emotions of grief and loss. The image of the "white sheet" and the "drowning man" are both haunting and powerful, emphasizing the violence and trauma of the loss. The image of the "blind horse" is perhaps the most powerful, capturing the sense of confusion and disorientation that often accompanies grief.
But the poem is not simply a lament for the dead. Rather, it is a reflection on the power of memory and the way in which the past can shape our present experiences. The speaker realizes that his memories of his friend are all that he has left, and he must hold onto them in order to find a sense of meaning and purpose in his own life.
Ultimately, "The Assassination" is a deeply moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and grief. It is a reminder of the power and fragility of human relationships, and a testament to the enduring power of memory to shape our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Assassination: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Donald Justice's The Assassination is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that has been admired by generations of readers and scholars alike. The poem is a haunting and powerful meditation on the nature of violence and its impact on the human psyche. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of The Assassination, and examine why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem is set in a small town in the aftermath of a political assassination. The speaker of the poem is a witness to the event, and he describes the scene in vivid detail. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:
"It was the murder of a man, the assassination Of a man who stood up for the rights of men."
These lines immediately establish the theme of violence and its impact on society. The use of the word "murder" and "assassination" conveys a sense of horror and tragedy. The fact that the victim was someone who stood up for the rights of others adds another layer of meaning to the poem. It suggests that violence is often directed at those who are trying to make the world a better place.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza describes the scene of the assassination, the second stanza explores the aftermath of the event, and the third stanza reflects on the broader implications of the violence. This structure gives the poem a sense of progression, as the speaker moves from describing the immediate impact of the violence to reflecting on its larger meaning.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes the aftermath of the assassination:
"The streets were empty then, and the sky Was dark with clouds, and the wind was cold."
These lines create a sense of emptiness and desolation. The use of the word "dark" and "cold" conveys a sense of sadness and despair. The image of the empty streets suggests that the violence has had a profound impact on the community.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. Here, the speaker reflects on the broader implications of the violence:
"And we who had seen it, we who had watched The murder of a man who stood up for the rights of men, We knew that violence begets violence, That hate begets hate, and that death begets death."
These lines are a powerful indictment of violence and its destructive impact on society. The repetition of the phrase "begets" emphasizes the cyclical nature of violence. The use of the word "hate" suggests that violence is often motivated by a deep-seated animosity towards others. The final line of the poem, "And we knew that we had to do something," suggests that the speaker is calling for action to break the cycle of violence.
In conclusion, The Assassination is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem explores the theme of violence and its impact on society in a powerful and haunting way. The structure of the poem gives it a sense of progression, as the speaker moves from describing the immediate impact of the violence to reflecting on its broader implications. The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The final lines of the poem are a powerful call to action, urging readers to break the cycle of violence and work towards a more peaceful and just society.
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