Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In the selected lines from Donald Justice's "Things," the poet explores the nature of objects, imbuing them with a range of qualities that suggest both their materiality and their metaphorical significance. This brief yet dense passage encapsulates the complex relationship between humans and the physical world, offering a meditation on the inherent qualities and transformative potential of seemingly simple objects.

The opening line, "Hard, but you can polish it," speaks to the resilience and malleability of certain materials. The hardness suggests durability and strength, while the ability to polish it implies a potential for refinement and beautification. This duality reflects the human capacity to shape and enhance the natural world, to take something raw and make it shine, thus elevating it to a higher aesthetic or functional state.

"Precious, it has eyes" introduces a sense of value and anthropomorphism. By describing the object as "precious," Justice elevates it beyond mere utility, imbuing it with a sense of worth that is often reserved for rare and valuable items. The phrase "it has eyes" further personifies the object, suggesting a lifelike quality or an ability to observe and interact with the world. This anthropomorphic touch adds a layer of intimacy and connection, as if the object possesses an inherent awareness or consciousness.

"Can wound" introduces a more ominous aspect, acknowledging that even the most refined and valuable objects can cause harm. This line serves as a reminder of the potential dangers inherent in the physical world, where beauty and utility can be accompanied by risk. The ability to wound underscores the complexity and dual nature of objects, which can be both beneficial and dangerous depending on how they are used.

The line "Would dance upon water. Sinks." captures the ephemeral and transitory nature of objects. The image of dancing upon water evokes a sense of lightness and grace, suggesting moments of fleeting beauty and joy. However, the inevitable sinking reminds us of the transient nature of these moments and the inexorable pull of gravity and time. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between the fleeting and the enduring, between moments of levity and the inevitability of decline.

Finally, "Stays put. Crushed, becomes a road." speaks to the permanence and transformative potential of objects. While some things remain stationary and unchanging, others can be altered and repurposed. The notion of being crushed and becoming a road suggests a process of destruction and rebirth, where the object's original form is sacrificed to create something new and enduring. This transformation from a single, potentially insignificant object into a part of a larger, functional structure underscores the idea of renewal and the cyclical nature of existence.

Through these concise lines, Justice masterfully conveys the multifaceted nature of objects, blending their physical characteristics with deeper symbolic meanings. The passage reflects on the resilience, value, potential for harm, transience, and transformative capacity of the things that populate our world, offering a nuanced meditation on the interplay between the material and the metaphorical.

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