'The Tourist From Syracuse' by Donald Justice


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One of those men who can be a car salesman or a tourist from Syracuse or a
hired assassin.


-- John D. MacDonald



You would not recognize me.

Mine is the face which blooms in

The dank mirrors of washrooms

As you grope for the light switch.



My eyes have the expression

Of the cold eyes of statues

Watching their pigeons return

From the feed you have scattered,



And I stand on my corner

With the same marble patience.

If I move at all, it is

At the same pace precisely



As the shade of the awning

Under which I stand waiting

And with whose blackness it seems

I am already blended.



I speak seldom, and always

In a murmur as quiet

As that of crowds which surround

The victims of accidents.



Shall I confess who I am?

My name is all names, or none.

I am the used-car salesman,

The tourist from Syracuse,



The hired assassin, waiting.

I will stand here forever

Like one who has missed his bus --

Familiar, anonymous --



On my usual corner,

The corner at which you turn

To approach that place where now

You must not hope to arrive.


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Tourist From Syracuse: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that transports you to a different time and place, that makes you feel like you're living the experience alongside the narrator? That's what Donald Justice's "The Tourist From Syracuse" does. This classic poem, first published in 1960, is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of travel, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of human connections.

But what makes "The Tourist From Syracuse" so special? Let's take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

Themes

At its core, "The Tourist From Syracuse" is a meditation on the human condition. The poem tells the story of a traveler who arrives in a foreign city and tries to make connections with the locals, only to find himself alone at the end of the day. This sense of isolation and disconnection is a common theme in modern poetry, but Justice approaches it with a unique perspective.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the tension between the tourist's desire for connection and his inability to truly connect with anyone. We see this tension in lines like "I said a few words / To the waiter and the bus-boy, / And they seemed grateful for the chance / To practice their English," which suggest that the tourist is reaching out to others but not finding a meaningful connection.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of transience. The tourist is only passing through the city, and all of his experiences there are temporary. This sense of impermanence is reflected in lines like "And those who smiled or nodded / As I passed them on the street / Will not know who I am / Or where I came from / When I am gone."

Structure

The structure of "The Tourist From Syracuse" is deceptively simple. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. However, the poem's form belies its complexity. The stanzas are written in free verse, meaning that they do not adhere to a strict meter or rhyme scheme. This gives Justice the freedom to experiment with language and imagery, and he takes full advantage of this freedom.

At the same time, the poem's structure provides a sense of symmetry and balance. Each stanza contains a complete thought, and the stanzas flow together seamlessly. This creates a sense of unity and coherence, even as the poem explores a range of emotions and ideas.

Language

Finally, let's talk about the language of "The Tourist From Syracuse." Justice's use of language is masterful, and he employs a range of techniques to create a rich and evocative poem.

One technique that stands out is his use of imagery. Throughout the poem, he paints vivid pictures of the city and the people the tourist encounters. For example, he writes, "The buildings, with their balconies / And ironwork, were gray and old. / The sunlight on the water / Sparkled like a mass of broken glass." These images bring the city to life and help the reader to understand the tourist's perspective.

Another technique that Justice uses effectively is repetition. He repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and unity. For example, he repeats the phrase "I talked to no one" several times, emphasizing the tourist's sense of isolation.

Overall, "The Tourist From Syracuse" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of travel, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of human connections. Justice's use of language, structure, and imagery create a powerful and evocative work that has stood the test of time. This is a poem that deserves to be read and re-read, and it will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Tourist From Syracuse: A Poem of Love and Loss

Donald Justice’s poem, The Tourist From Syracuse, is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The poem is a narrative that tells the story of a tourist who visits a small town in Italy and falls in love with a local woman. The poem is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the pain of loss.

The poem begins with the tourist arriving in the small town of Sirmione, Italy. He is immediately struck by the beauty of the town and the warmth of its people. He wanders through the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the town, and eventually finds himself in a small café. It is here that he meets the woman who will change his life forever.

The woman is described as being beautiful and mysterious, with a “face like a mask”. The tourist is immediately drawn to her and they strike up a conversation. They spend the day together, exploring the town and getting to know each other. The tourist is smitten with the woman and feels a deep connection to her.

As the day comes to an end, the tourist realizes that he must leave the town and return to his life in Syracuse. He is torn between his love for the woman and his obligations back home. He decides to stay in Sirmione for one more day, hoping to spend more time with the woman.

The next day, the tourist and the woman spend the day together once again. They talk about their lives and their hopes and dreams. The tourist is filled with a sense of joy and happiness that he has never felt before. He knows that he has found something special in the woman and he doesn’t want to let her go.

As the day comes to an end, the tourist realizes that he must leave the town and return to his life in Syracuse. He is torn between his love for the woman and his obligations back home. He decides to stay in Sirmione for one more day, hoping to spend more time with the woman.

The next day, the tourist wakes up to find that the woman has left town. He is devastated and feels a deep sense of loss. He spends the day wandering through the town, searching for her, but she is nowhere to be found. He realizes that he may never see her again and he is filled with a sense of regret.

The poem ends with the tourist returning to Syracuse, feeling empty and alone. He knows that he will never forget the woman he met in Sirmione and he will always carry a piece of her with him. The poem is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the pain of loss.

In conclusion, The Tourist From Syracuse is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The poem is a beautiful and poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the pain of loss. The tourist’s experience in Sirmione is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish the moments we have with the people we love. The poem is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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