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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained
THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 1. THE GOOD OGRE'S BEARD, by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR Poet Analysis Poet's Biography | |||
"The Hour Between Dog and Wolf: 1. The Good Ogre's Beard" by Laure-Anne Bosselaar is a poignant and vividly rendered poem that explores themes of escape, sanctuary, and the complex interplay of innocence and violence. Through the lens of a child's relationship with an older, war-scarred man, Bosselaar delves into the longing for a safe haven from the difficulties of family life and the broader context of a world marked by the scars of conflict. The poem opens with the speaker recounting her monthly visits to the man's shack by the Wool Canal, immediately after returning from the nuns. This transition from a presumably strict, religious environment to the man's shack suggests a search for a different kind of comfort and understanding—one that is found in the physical and emotional warmth of the man's presence. The vivid description of climbing onto the man's belly and burying her face in his beard, which is likened to "Sun-bleached seaweed on his chest," evokes a sense of closeness and safety. The man's beard, with its "stir and curls," becomes a symbol of refuge for the speaker, a place where she can hide and find solace. The detail of the man keeping his watch tied to a button with string on the slit in his vest adds a touch of intimacy and peculiarity to his character, suggesting a life lived outside the norms and a resourcefulness born of necessity. The mention of the "funnel-shaped gash left by a German bullet" on the side of his head introduces the theme of violence and survival, hinting at the man's past experiences in war. The man's casual reference to killing a German soldier ("That Kraut's blood still shines on my bayonet") juxtaposes the innocence of the child's perspective with the harsh realities of war and violence. This contrast adds depth to the poem, illustrating how the child finds a sense of security and love in the company of someone who has experienced and inflicted violence. As the man crochets eel nets, the speaker describes sitting in his lap, warmed by his forearms, and infusing each knot he makes with a wish for salvation from her family and for the man's eternal life. This act of wishing upon the knots reflects the speaker's deep desire for stability and protection, as well as her recognition of the man as a source of safety and care, despite—or perhaps because of—his imperfections and scars. "The Hour Between Dog and Wolf: 1. The Good Ogre's Beard" is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the complexity of human relationships and the ways in which we seek and find comfort in unlikely places. Through Bosselaar's skillful use of imagery and narrative, the poem speaks to the power of connection and the enduring impact of kindness and understanding in a world often marred by violence and strife.
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