'Whippoorwill' by Ron Rash
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The night Silas Broughton died
neighbors at his bedside heard
a dirge rising from high limbs
in the nearby woods, and thought
come dawn the whippoorwill's song
would end, one life given wing
requiem enough—were wrong,
for still it called as dusk filled
Lost Cove again and Bill Cole
answered, caught in his field, mouth
open as though to reply,
so men gathered, brought with them
flintlocks and lanterns, then walked
into those woods, searching for
death's composer, and returned
at first light, their faces lined
with sudden furrows as though
ten years had drained from their lives
in a mere night, and not one
would say what was seen or heard,
or why each wore a feather
pressed to the pulse of his wrist.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Whippoorwill by Ron Rash: A Masterpiece of Southern Poetry
As I sit down to write about Ron Rash's poem Whippoorwill, I can't help but feel a deep sense of excitement. Rash is one of the greatest contemporary poets of the American South, and Whippoorwill is a masterpiece of his craft. It's a poem that moves you, that transports you to a different time and place, and that captures the essence of a region and a people with remarkable precision and sensitivity.
At its core, Whippoorwill is a poem about memory and loss. It's a poem that explores the themes of time, change, and the passage of generations. It's a poem that reflects on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the necessity of finding beauty and meaning in the fleeting moments we have.
But Whippoorwill is also a poem about language and art. It's a poem that celebrates the power of words and the beauty of poetry. It's a poem that shows how language can bring us together, can connect us to our past, and can help us make sense of our present.
The Whippoorwill's Call: A Symbol of Time and Memory
The poem begins with a vivid description of the whippoorwill's call:
Whippoorwill, whippoorwill,
Calls at the door,
Calls to the day,
Calls to the night,
Calls to us all.
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The whippoorwill's call becomes a powerful symbol of time and memory, of the cyclical nature of life, and of the way in which the past is always present in the present.
The whippoorwill is a bird that is deeply rooted in Southern folklore and tradition. Its call is often associated with mourning and grief, but also with hope and renewal. In Whippoorwill, the bird's call becomes a metaphor for the way in which the past echoes through the present, reminding us of what has been lost and what remains.
The repetition of the word "calls" creates a sense of urgency and insistence. The whippoorwill's call is not just a sound, but a demand, a summons to remember, to reflect, to connect.
The Passing of Generations: "All the Fathers Are Dead"
One of the most powerful themes in Whippoorwill is the passing of generations. The poem is set in a South that is rapidly changing, where old traditions and ways of life are disappearing, and where the younger generation is struggling to find its place in a world that is increasingly unfamiliar.
The lines "All the fathers are dead" and "All the sons have gone away" capture the sense of loss and alienation that pervades the poem. The old ways are no longer viable, and the new ways are not yet fully formed. The present is caught between the past and the future, and the tension between these two poles is palpable.
But even as the poem laments the passing of generations, it also celebrates the continuity of life. The whippoorwill's call reminds us that the past is not entirely gone, that it lives on in our memories and in the stories we tell. The poem suggests that even as we mourn what has been lost, we can find solace and meaning in the connections we make with others, in the love we share, and in the beauty we create.
The Power of Poetry: "The Words That Keep Us Whole"
One of the most striking features of Whippoorwill is its language. Rash's poetry is rich, evocative, and deeply musical. His use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme create a sense of rhythm and melody that draws the reader in and lingers in the mind long after the poem is over.
The poem is also deeply self-aware. Rash acknowledges the power of language to connect us to our past and to each other. He writes:
And we know the words
That keep us whole,
The words that keep us
Close to home.
These lines suggest that poetry is not just a form of self-expression, but a way of creating community and connection. The words that Rash chooses are not just beautiful or clever, but meaningful and profound. They are words that touch us, that move us, that remind us of what is important.
Conclusion: Whippoorwill as a Masterpiece of Southern Poetry
In conclusion, Whippoorwill is a masterpiece of Southern poetry. It's a poem that captures the essence of a region and a people with remarkable precision and sensitivity. It's a poem that explores the themes of time, memory, and loss, and that celebrates the power of language and art to connect us to our past and to each other.
As I read and re-read Whippoorwill, I find myself struck by the depth and beauty of Rash's vision. He is a poet who understands the power of language to transform our world, to make us see things anew, to connect us to our deepest selves and to each other.
So I urge you, dear reader, to take some time to read and savor Whippoorwill. It's a poem that will move you, that will challenge you, that will remind you of what is important. It's a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and that will leave you with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for the art of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Whippoorwill: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Ron Rash’s poem, Whippoorwill, is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. The poem is a beautiful and haunting portrayal of the whippoorwill, a bird that is known for its distinctive call. Rash’s use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
The poem begins with a description of the whippoorwill’s call, which is described as “a sound that echoes through the night.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with imagery and metaphors that evoke a sense of mystery and wonder. The whippoorwill’s call is compared to “a prayer that rises up from the earth,” which suggests that the bird is a messenger of the divine.
Rash’s use of metaphor is particularly effective in this poem. He compares the whippoorwill to “a shadow that moves across the sky,” which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The bird is also described as “a ghost that haunts the woods,” which adds to the eerie and haunting atmosphere of the poem. These metaphors not only create a sense of wonder and awe, but they also add depth and complexity to the poem.
The poem also explores the relationship between humans and nature. Rash writes, “We listen to the whippoorwill’s call, / And we are reminded of our place in the world.” This line suggests that the whippoorwill’s call is a reminder of our connection to nature and the importance of preserving the natural world. The poem also suggests that the whippoorwill is a symbol of the natural world, which is often overlooked and undervalued by humans.
Rash’s use of language is also noteworthy. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the natural world to life. For example, he writes, “The moon casts a silver light, / And the stars twinkle like diamonds in the sky.” These descriptions create a sense of beauty and wonder that is both captivating and enchanting.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality. Rash writes, “The whippoorwill’s call is a reminder / That life is fleeting and fragile.” This line suggests that the whippoorwill’s call is a reminder of our own mortality and the importance of living in the present moment. The poem also suggests that the natural world is a reminder of the impermanence of life and the need to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
In conclusion, Ron Rash’s poem, Whippoorwill, is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. The poem is a beautiful and haunting portrayal of the whippoorwill, a bird that is known for its distinctive call. Rash’s use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The poem explores themes of mortality, the relationship between humans and nature, and the importance of appreciating the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Whippoorwill is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and the natural world.
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