Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Justice's poem "An Elegy Is Preparing Itself" delicately contemplates the process of mourning and the inevitability of death. Through sparse yet evocative imagery, Justice captures the quiet, methodical preparation of an elegy, reflecting themes of loss, nature, and the solemnity of remembrance.

The poem opens with an image that sets a contemplative tone: “There are pines that are tall enough / Already.” This line suggests a sense of completion or readiness in nature, indicating that the natural world has reached a state of maturity or fullness. The pines, often symbols of endurance and timelessness, stand tall and ready, perhaps to serve as witnesses to or participants in the coming elegy.

The auditory imagery of “The whining of saws” introduces a sense of intrusion and impending change. This sound, coupled with the visual detail of “needles / Silently slipping through the chosen cloth,” creates a juxtaposition between the mechanical, almost violent act of sawing and the delicate, precise movement of needles. The “chosen cloth” likely refers to the shroud or burial garments, suggesting preparation for a funeral or the finality of death.

The stone, described as “then as now, / Perfectly weightless,” brings a sense of timelessness and constancy to the poem. Stones, often used as grave markers or monuments, symbolize endurance and memory. Their “weightlessness” may imply the transcendence of physical death or the lightness of the soul once it has departed the earthly realm.

Justice then turns to the words that will form the elegy: “And certain words / That will come together to mourn, / Waiting in their dark clothes, apart.” This personification of words as mourners in “dark clothes” highlights the solemn and respectful nature of the elegy. The words are depicted as being in a state of readiness, waiting to fulfill their purpose of expressing grief and honoring the deceased. The phrase “apart” suggests a contemplative separation, indicating the words' need to be carefully chosen and thoughtfully composed before coming together.

In "An Elegy Is Preparing Itself," Donald Justice masterfully captures the quiet and deliberate process of mourning through his precise and evocative language. The poem’s imagery and tone reflect the solemnity and reverence associated with preparing an elegy, emphasizing the careful consideration and deep emotion that underlie acts of remembrance. Through this work, Justice invites readers to contemplate the inevitability of death and the enduring power of words and nature in the face of loss.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...