|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
In "Blight" by Arna Bontemps, the poet presents a poignant meditation on the theme of desolation and the impact of loss on the human spirit, encapsulated through the metaphor of a barren tree. The poem is structured in three quatrains, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme throughout, which serves to knit the verses closely together, emphasizing the interplay between the natural imagery and the emotional landscape being explored. The poem opens with the image of a tree, once "wistful after spring," now stark and barren before the overwhelming forces of nature, metaphorically described as a "ship of weather." This image sets the tone for the poem, illustrating the inevitable decline from vitality to desolation. The tree, beating its "barren twigs together," becomes a symbol of futile resistance against the inexorable passage of time and the erasure of beauty and life. In the second stanza, Bontemps expands on the theme of loss by recounting the departure of birds and the disappearance of "sensuous leaves" that once whispered in the night. This absence of life and sound is deeply felt, emphasizing a sense of isolation and the void left by the loss of vibrancy and companionship. The phrase "Each has vanished in its way" underscores the individuality of loss, suggesting that each departure is unique and contributes to the overall sense of emptiness. The final stanza turns inward, revealing the impact of this external blight on the speaker's heart. The metaphor of the whip on the heart conveys the pain and restriction felt by the speaker, a constriction of emotional expression and joy. The silence imposed by this whip, where "there is no sound that it allows," highlights the totalizing effect of grief, stifling any attempt at finding solace or expression. The poem concludes with the haunting image of the speaker attempting to sing, only to be overwhelmed by the "beating of dead boughs," a reminder of the persistent presence of loss and the difficulty of moving beyond it. "Blight" is a study in contrasts, juxtaposing the vitality of spring with the desolation of loss, the communal chatter of birds with the silence of absence, and the desire for expression with the stifling grip of grief. Through its vivid imagery, consistent rhyme scheme, and the thematic depth, the poem captures the complex interplay between the external world and the internal realm of the human heart, offering a somber reflection on the nature of loss and the enduring impact it has on the soul.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO W.P.: 2 by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE WAYS OF TIME by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES WITH FLOWERS by EMILY DICKINSON A SONG TO MITHRAS by RUDYARD KIPLING THE HARVEST MOON; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW ANACREON by ANTIPATER OF SIDON THE WORLD AND THE QUIETEST by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE LAST MAN: RECEPTION OF EVIL TIDINGS by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |
| |