Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"This Day This World" is a poem by American poet Stanley Kunitz. It was first published in his 1985 collection "Next-to-Last Things: New Poems and Essays". Kunitz was a highly respected American poet who served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress twice, and won several awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

Explanation:

"This Day This World" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, connection, and the beauty of the natural world. The speaker begins by describing a moment of intense connection with a loved one, and the sense of wonder and awe that comes from being fully present in the moment.

As the poem progresses, the speaker broadens his focus to include the natural world around him, and reflects on the beauty and complexity of the earth and its inhabitants. The poem ends on a note of gratitude and reverence for the experience of life, and the connections we form with others and with the larger universe.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "This Day This World" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme or meter scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid, sensory images, such as the "hoarse whisper of the surf" and the "wild iris" blooming in the field.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is celebratory and reverent, with moments of both joy and sadness.
• Metaphor: The idea of being fully present in the moment is a metaphor for the power of love and connection to transcend time and space.

Conclusion:

"This Day This World" is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving poem that celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and the power of love and connection to transcend time and space. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of wonder and reverence for the world around us, while his exploration of the human experience adds depth and nuance to the poem.

Poem Snippet:

"I saw the sun break through

to illuminate a small field

for a while, and gone my way

and forgotten it. But that was the pearl

of great price, the one field that had

the treasure in it."

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