Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"People Through the Train Window" by Dick Allen contemplates the transient nature of human existence, the interconnectedness of lives, and the poignant realization of our own mortality. The poem begins with an image of observing the lights in houses from a train window on a late winter evening, symbolizing the glimpses we catch of others' lives—intimate yet distant, known yet unknowable. This perspective prompts a reflection on the shared, yet individually experienced, fate of all human beings: the inevitability of death.

The comparison of human lives to a "Scott Fitzgerald story" evokes a sense of glamor tinged with melancholy and isolation, suggesting that our lives, while deeply felt and richly textured, are ultimately fleeting. The poem grapples with the existential reality that each of us is "Born to rush out on the earth and die," a line that captures the urgency and brevity of our existence.

Allen's meditation on mortality is imbued with a sense of wonder and lamentation at the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make up a life—moments that will go unremarked by "the seasons of this lovely planet" after we are gone. The poem confronts the reader with the stark truth that the physical world will continue on, indifferent to our absence, as "the wind above the planet will not touch your eyes," emphasizing our insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe.

Yet, within this acknowledgment of death's finality, there is a call to action—a reminder of the carpe diem (seize the day) ethos championed by poets throughout the ages. Allen urges the reader to embrace life fully, to "seize your life with every tendon, every thought you have," recognizing the beauty and impermanence of our existence. The mention of Jim Croce, known for his poignant songs about life and love, underscores the theme of cherishing the present.

The poem concludes with a cosmic perspective, noting how "the stars have always gone this crazy in their crazy sky," a line that juxtaposes the eternal with the ephemeral. This final image serves as both a comfort and a challenge: while our individual lives may be brief, they are part of a larger, enduring tapestry of existence.

In "People Through the Train Window," Dick Allen crafts a reflective and deeply moving exploration of life's fleeting nature and the imperative to live fully in the face of mortality. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful contemplation, the poem captures the universal human experience of grappling with the knowledge of our eventual death while urging us to savor every moment of life.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Yellow_Shoe_Poets/2D6aqhb651oC?q=BACA+%22MEN+LATE+AT+NIGHT+COOK+COFFEE+IN+RUSTY+CANS%22&gbpv=1&bsq=PEOPLE%20THROUGH#f=false

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