'Notes On An Unadorned Night' by Daniel Nester
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after Rene Char
Let's agree that the night is a blank canvas, a station
break, a bridge of a song.
Let's agree further that activities at night—movies,
campfires, reading by a lamp—are all
basically an homage to the day.
I have come to regard these two statements as
contradictory. Let me explain.
First, set aside that one could see a movie, torch a fire,
and read with the sun blazing over us.
The in-between aspect of night need not spark a flurry of
activity, is all I'm saying.
You could do nothing at night! Just lay and sleep!
A Cézanne sketch I looked at last night bears
mentioning.
A big Gallic face, reclining upwards, looks up at three
boxcars on train tracks.
The man's eyes are wide open and unfulfilled.
The two disemboweled deer I saw the night before also
bear mentioning.
The torsos of both deer were connected to faces, both
looking up.
I assumed they were struck by trains near the house
where I was sleeping.
Anyway, it occurred to me that as I looked into these
two dead deer's eyes that so much has fallen at
me, rather than simply by me.
I want to be among people. I do.
But I just want the easy parts skipped, for bodies to rub
up against each other, to always feel as new flesh
touches new flesh.
Those deer weren't an emblem of anything. I'm not like that.
I don't need dead animals to mirror my own interior world.
But what I am saying is that the dead eyes did shock me,
and it didn't help things that it was by a dark
highway.
And it did force me to feel my own heart bumping fast, me in
my sweatpants and jogging sneakers.
I felt like a damn idiot out there, under the moon with two
dead deer at my feet.
It made me want to go home and watch a big, dumb, funny
movie.
At least it did at first.
I turned the movie on, but I couldn't focus.
It seemed as if what I was watching—the man and woman's
looks of madcap surprise, the snappy music cues—were
fake re-enactments. Which, of course, they were.
And then the whole idea of movies, especially watching them at
home, especially big, dumb, funny movies, seemed to be the
stupidest idea in the world.
Watching them in a room with complete strangers, in a dark
room—that's a better idea.
At the theater where I see most of my movies, an employee makes
seating announcements over a PA speaker.
All the patrons wait and corral inside a rope, much like
livestock, until the announcement is made.
We then descend down an escalator, silent, and go into the
theater.
My head has to crane uncomfortably to see the screen, since I
have this long gawky neck.
The theater doesn't have what they call "stadium seating."
Another thing about the theater is that every few minutes
during the movie, you can hear the train—the 6, the
D, Q, and F—rumbling beneath your feet.
No one, at least to my knowledge, has complained about this to
the managers.
It's somehow reassuring that people are going somewhere while
you're seeing a movie with other people.
It's a good theater because the movies there are of a high
quality, and you're with other people who want to see
a movie.
One time, Cindy Crawford, the famous fashion model, was in the same
theater as me, right behind me and my date.
Everyone tried not to look at her, but of course we all did.
I was on a date with an Irish girl who was an interior designer.
We went to see a movie that took place in Ireland, in a swamp.
It was a very quiet movie, and about halfway through, I fell
asleep.
The rumble of the trains woke me up.
When I woke up, I at once smelled the Irish girl's hair and saw
the movie screen.
The scene was a little girl, petting the head of a deer.
The sound of a nearby brook was heard in the back speakers.
Cindy Crawford had gone.
When we left the theater, it was still daylight outside.
I was still sleepy.
Submitted by da
Editor 1 Interpretation
Notes On An Unadorned Night: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
As a reader, there are some poems that stick with you, that resonate with you long after you've read them. Notes On An Unadorned Night is one such poem. Written by Daniel Nester, this poem is a meditation on love, loss, and the passing of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at the poem, examining its themes, structure, and language.
The Structure of the Poem
Notes On An Unadorned Night is a free-verse poem, meaning that it doesn't follow a strict rhyme or meter. Instead, the poem is structured around a series of short, fragmented lines. This structure mirrors the fragmented nature of memory and emotion, as the speaker reflects on a past relationship.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's emotions. In the first section, the speaker reflects on the past, recalling the details of a relationship that has since ended. In the second section, the speaker reflects on the present, acknowledging the passage of time and the changes it brings. Finally, in the third section, the speaker looks to the future, wondering what lies ahead.
This tripartite structure is a common feature of many poems, and it serves to give the poem a sense of balance and completeness.
Themes of the Poem
At its core, Notes On An Unadorned Night is a poem about love and loss. The speaker reflects on a past relationship, recalling the details of it with a mix of nostalgia and regret. The poem is also about the passage of time and the changes it brings. The speaker acknowledges that things are not the same as they once were, and that things will never be the same again.
There is also a sense of longing in the poem, as the speaker yearns for something that is no longer there. This longing is expressed through the poem's imagery, which is often focused on the night sky. The stars and moon serve as symbols of the speaker's emotions, representing the light and darkness of love and loss.
The Language of the Poem
One of the most striking things about Notes On An Unadorned Night is its use of language. The poem is written in a simple, direct style, with short, fragmented lines that convey a sense of raw emotion. The language is also rich in imagery, with the night sky serving as a powerful symbol throughout the poem.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with certain phrases and images repeated throughout the poem. For example, the phrase "unadorned night" is repeated several times, emphasizing the importance of the night sky to the speaker's emotions. This repetition also serves to give the poem a sense of structure and coherence.
Interpretation of the Poem
As we've seen, Notes On An Unadorned Night is a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem's structure, language, and themes all work together to create a vivid portrait of the speaker's emotions.
At its heart, the poem is about the way that memories of love and loss can haunt us, even long after the relationship has ended. The speaker's thoughts are fragmented and disjointed, reflecting the way that memories can be both vivid and fleeting.
There is also a sense of acceptance in the poem, as the speaker acknowledges that things are not the same as they once were. The passage of time is inevitable, and the speaker seems to understand that they must move on, even if they don't know what lies ahead.
Finally, there is a sense of hope in the poem, as the speaker looks to the future with a sense of possibility. The night sky, with its stars and moon, serves as a reminder that there is always light in the darkness, and that even in the midst of loss, there is still the potential for love and happiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Notes On An Unadorned Night is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through its structure, language, and themes, the poem creates a vivid portrait of the speaker's emotions, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Whether you're a poetry lover or not, this poem is well worth reading, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of love and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Notes On An Unadorned Night: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Daniel Nester's Notes On An Unadorned Night is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of a sleepless night. The poem is a journey through the mind of the poet as he struggles to find peace in the darkness. It is a powerful and evocative work that speaks to the human experience of loneliness, anxiety, and the search for meaning.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "I cannot sleep." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the experience of insomnia. The poet describes the darkness of the night, the silence of the house, and the emptiness of his own mind. He is alone with his thoughts, and they are not comforting.
As the poem progresses, the poet's thoughts become more fragmented and disjointed. He jumps from one idea to another, unable to find a coherent narrative. He describes the sound of the wind outside, the ticking of the clock, and the creaking of the house. These sounds become a kind of symphony of the night, a backdrop to the poet's inner turmoil.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which the poet uses language. His words are spare and precise, yet they convey a deep sense of emotion. He describes the night as "unadorned," a word that suggests a kind of starkness and simplicity. This simplicity is reflected in the structure of the poem, which is composed of short, staccato lines that create a sense of urgency and restlessness.
The poet's use of imagery is also noteworthy. He describes the night as a "blackboard," a metaphor that suggests the emptiness of his mind. He also uses the image of a "ghost" to describe his own sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around him. These images are powerful and evocative, and they help to create a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
Another important aspect of the poem is its exploration of the theme of mortality. The poet reflects on the fact that we are all "mortal beings," and that our time on earth is limited. He describes the night as a kind of "rehearsal" for death, a time when we are forced to confront our own mortality. This theme is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life, and it adds a sense of urgency to the poem.
Overall, Notes On An Unadorned Night is a powerful and evocative work of modern poetry. It captures the essence of a sleepless night, and it speaks to the human experience of loneliness, anxiety, and the search for meaning. The poet's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his exploration of the theme of mortality is both poignant and thought-provoking. This poem is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of literature.
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