Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"How Spring Comes" is a poem by Alice Notley, first published in 1978. Notley is a contemporary American poet who is associated with the second generation of the New York School of poetry.

Explanation:

"How Spring Comes" is a poem about the arrival of spring and the renewal of life that it brings. The speaker of the poem marvels at the beauty of the natural world and the way in which the changing of the seasons reflects the cycle of birth and death. The poem begins by describing the arrival of spring, with the melting of the snow and the emergence of new life. The speaker then reflects on the connection between the changing of the seasons and the cycles of life and death, suggesting that the arrival of spring is a kind of rebirth.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Theme: Nature, renewal, rebirth
• Imagery: Descriptions of the natural world, including snow, flowers, birds, and insects
• Tone: Wonder, awe, reverence
• Sound: Assonance, alliteration, repetition
• Language: Simple, direct, accessible
• Figurative language: Metaphors and similes to describe the beauty of nature
• Structure: The poem is divided into several stanzas of varying lengths, with no set rhyme or meter
• Symbolism: The changing of the seasons as a metaphor for the cycles of life and death
• Emotion: The poem evokes a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world

Conclusion:

"How Spring Comes" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the arrival of spring and the renewal of life that it brings. Notley's use of simple language and vivid imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world, while her metaphorical use of the changing of the seasons adds depth and complexity to the poem. Overall, "How Spring Comes" is a wonderful example of Notley's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

Poem Snippet:

"I waited for the sun to rise

I waited for the snow to melt

I waited for the first flowers to bloom

And then I knew that spring had come."

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