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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Old Boards" by Robert Bly is a contemplative poem that finds deep significance and beauty in the simple, often overlooked elements of the natural and human-made world. Through the imagery of old boards lying on the ground, Bly explores themes of resilience, the passage of time, and the connection between the human experience and the material world. The poem is divided into three sections, each offering a different perspective on the boards and, by extension, on the nature of existence itself. In the first section, Bly introduces the image of boards lying on the ground in early spring, setting a scene that juxtaposes the wet, muddy ground with the dry, eternal quality of the boards. The mention of chicken tracks adds a layer of life and activity, suggesting the presence of ongoing cycles and interactions between the natural world and the objects created by humans. The boards, despite being inanimate, are imbued with a sense of permanence and endurance, standing out against the transient, changing environment around them. The second section shifts the focus to the use of wood in ocean ships, highlighting the material's role in human journeys and explorations. The comparison of the wood to a horse's tail, used for "simple tasks," emphasizes the functional, reliable nature of these materials in supporting human endeavors. There is a sense of trust and dependability in the wood that carries us far from land, symbolizing the human reliance on natural resources to venture into the unknown and to navigate the vastness of the world. In the third and final section, Bly personifies the wood, likening it to a man who leads a simple life aboard the "ship of his own desire." This imagery suggests a life of self-sufficiency and contentment, grounded in the essentials and in harmony with the natural cycles of spring and winter. The image of the man sitting on dry wood, surrounded by half-melted snow, as a rooster walks "springily over the dampened hay," evokes a sense of peace and resilience. It portrays a life that is both connected to the natural world and distinct from it, encapsulating the human ability to find stability and meaning in the midst of change. "Old Boards" is a meditation on the intersections between the natural world, the objects we create and use, and the lives we lead. Through the simple yet evocative imagery of boards lying on the ground, Bly invites readers to reflect on the deeper layers of meaning that can be found in ordinary objects and experiences. The poem celebrates the beauty of simplicity, the dignity of a life lived in close connection with the material world, and the enduring nature of the human spirit in the face of the elements. POEM TEXT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RIv9BrtXBCQkYLeifLI3vMNoCdczFw1zJDpm4OttmaI/edit
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SAME QUESTION by JOHN HOLLANDER HOODED NIGHT by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE PLACE FOR NO STORY by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE BEAUTY OF THINGS by ROBINSON JEFFERS VARIATIONS ON A NEO-CLASSIC THEME by DONALD JUSTICE DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS KENNST DU DAS LAND by LEONIE ADAMS INVITATION TO A PAINTER: 3 by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM SONNET: 19. ON A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES |
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