'Sestina' by David Lehman
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for Jim CumminsIn Iowa, Jim dreamed that Della Street was Anne Sexton's
twin. Dave drew a comic strip called the "Adventures of Whitman,"about a bearded beer-guzzler in Superman uniform. Donna dressedlike Wallace Stevensin a seersucker summer suit. To town came Ted Berrigan,saying, "My idea of a bad poet is Marvin Bell."
But no one has won as many prizes as Philip Levine.At the restaurant, people were talking about Philip Levine's
latest: the Pulitzer. A toast was proposed by Anne Sexton.No one saw the stranger, who said his name was Marvin Bell,pour something into Donna's drink. "In the Walt WhitmanShopping Center, there you feel free," said Ted Berrigan,pulling on a Chesterfield. Everyone laughed, except T. S. Eliot.I asked for directions. "You turn right on Gertrude Stein,
then bear left. Three streetlights down you hang a Phil Levineand you're there," Jim said. When I arrived I saw Ted Berriganwith cigarette ash in his beard. Graffiti about Anne Sexton
decorated the men's room walls. Beth had bought a quart of WaltWhitman.Donna looked blank. "Walt who?" The name didn't ring a Marvin Bell.You laugh, yet there is nothing inherently funny about Marvin Bell.You cry, yet there is nothing inherently scary about Robert Lowell.You drink a bottle of Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale, as thirsty asWalt Whitman.You bring in your car for an oil change, thinking, this place has the auraof Philip Levine.Then you go home and write: "He kissed her Anne Sexton, and shereturned the favor, caressing his Ted Berrigan."Donna was candid. "When the spirit of Ted Berrigancomes over me, I can't resist," she told Marvin Bell,while he stood dejected at the xerox machine. Anne Sexton
came by to circulate the rumor that Robert Duncanhad flung his drink on a student who had called him Philip Levine.The cop read him the riot act. "I don't care," he said, "if you're WaltWhitman."Donna told Beth about her affair with Walt Whitman."He was indefatigable, but he wasn't Ted Berrigan."
The Dow Jones industrials finished higher, led by Philip Levine,up a point and a half on strong earnings. Marvin Bellended the day unchanged. Analyst Richard Howard
recommended buying May Swenson and selling Anne Sexton.In the old days, you liked either Walt Whitman or Anne Sexton,not both. Ted Berrigan changed that just by going to a ballgame withMarianne Moore.
And one day Philip Levine looked in the mirror and saw Marvin Bell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Close Reading of David Lehman’s Sestina
David Lehman’s poem, “Sestina,” is a stunning example of the sestina form that originated in medieval French poetry. In this 39-line poem, Lehman masterfully weaves together six repeating end-words, each appearing in a new order at the end of each line. The result is a complex, layered poem that explores the themes of memory, loss, and the power of language.
The Structure of the Sestina
Before diving into the content of the poem, it’s important to understand the structure of the sestina form. A sestina is a poem made up of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a final triplet. The end words of the first stanza are repeated in a specific pattern at the end of the following stanzas, and then appear in the middle and at the end of the three lines in the final triplet. Lehman adheres to this structure perfectly, using the end words “glass,” “house,” “man,” “wife,” “child,” and “time.”
The Poem’s Content
The poem begins with a description of a scene. The speaker is looking out of a window and sees a man walking down the street, carrying a glass of water. The man is described in a somewhat dehumanizing way, referred to as “the man in the brown hat” rather than by name. This sets up the theme of anonymity and the idea that the people we encounter in our lives can become reduced to mere objects or symbols.
As the poem continues, the speaker moves from describing the man to reflecting on their own life and memories. They mention a “house with a thousand windows,” which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the mind or the self. The idea of windows also ties into the theme of looking out onto the world and observing others.
Throughout the poem, there are references to family and domesticity, with the end words “house,” “wife,” and “child” appearing multiple times. This creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, as well as a sense of loss for the speaker’s own family, which seems to have fallen apart.
The final triplet of the poem is particularly powerful. The end words are repeated in a new order, creating a sense of closure and finality. The final line is especially poignant: “And time and again, time and again, / They are married by the wrist, by the wrist.” This line suggests the idea of being bound to the past, unable to let go of memories or move on from past experiences.
Interpretation and Analysis
Lehman’s “Sestina” is a rich and complex poem that rewards close reading and analysis. The poem’s structure, with its strict adherence to the sestina form, creates a sense of order and repetition that mirrors the themes of memory and loss. The repeating end words serve as anchors throughout the poem, tying together disparate images and ideas.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The glass of water that the man is carrying is a powerful symbol, representing both the fragility of life and the transience of memory. The “house with a thousand windows” is another potent image, suggesting the complexity and breadth of the speaker’s memories and experiences.
The theme of anonymity and reduction is also a powerful one. By referring to the man as “the man in the brown hat,” the speaker reduces him to a mere object or symbol. This mirrors the idea that we often reduce people we encounter in our lives to simplistic, one-dimensional images, rather than fully fleshed-out human beings.
The use of repetition in the poem is also significant. The repeating end words create a sense of circularity and infinity, suggesting that the themes of memory and loss are never-ending. The repeated phrase “time and again” further emphasizes this idea, as does the final line’s reference to being “married by the wrist.”
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is about the power of language. The repetition of the end words creates a sense of linguistic power, while the way the end words are shuffled and reordered creates a sense of linguistic playfulness. The poem’s title, “Sestina,” also emphasizes the importance of form and structure in poetry.
Another interpretation is that the poem is about the passage of time and the inevitability of loss. The reference to family and the speaker’s own memories suggests a longing for a time that has passed, while the final triplet suggests that we are bound to the past, unable to fully move on from our memories and experiences.
Conclusion
Overall, David Lehman’s “Sestina” is a stunning example of the sestina form, exploring complex themes of memory, loss, and the power of language. The poem’s structure, imagery, and use of repetition all contribute to a rich and layered experience for the reader. Whether read on its surface level or analyzed more deeply, “Sestina” is a poem that rewards scrutiny and interpretation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
David Lehman's Poetry Sestina is a masterpiece of poetic form and structure. This classic poem is a perfect example of how a poet can use a strict form to create a work of art that is both beautiful and meaningful. In this analysis, we will explore the structure of the poem, its themes, and its significance in the world of poetry.
First, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. A sestina is a form of poetry that consists of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a final stanza of three lines. The poem uses a complex pattern of end-words that are repeated throughout the stanzas in a specific order. In Lehman's Poetry Sestina, the end-words are "love," "time," "heart," "mind," "death," and "dream." These words are repeated in a specific order throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and coherence.
The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for the rest of the work. Lehman writes, "I have a lot of faith in love / I have a lot of faith in time / I have a lot of faith in heart / I have a lot of faith in mind / I have a lot of faith in death / I have a lot of faith in dream." These lines establish the six end-words and the poet's belief in their power.
In the second stanza, Lehman begins to explore the theme of love. He writes, "Love is the subject of my sestina / Love is the subject of my song / Love is the subject of my heart / Love is the subject of my mind / Love is the subject of my death / Love is the subject of my dream." The repetition of the word "love" emphasizes its importance in the poet's life and work.
The third stanza focuses on the theme of time. Lehman writes, "Time is the subject of my sestina / Time is the subject of my song / Time is the subject of my heart / Time is the subject of my mind / Time is the subject of my death / Time is the subject of my dream." Here, the poet reflects on the fleeting nature of time and its impact on our lives.
The fourth stanza explores the theme of heart. Lehman writes, "Heart is the subject of my sestina / Heart is the subject of my song / Heart is the subject of my heart / Heart is the subject of my mind / Heart is the subject of my death / Heart is the subject of my dream." The repetition of the word "heart" emphasizes its emotional significance and the role it plays in our lives.
In the fifth stanza, Lehman turns his attention to the theme of mind. He writes, "Mind is the subject of my sestina / Mind is the subject of my song / Mind is the subject of my heart / Mind is the subject of my mind / Mind is the subject of my death / Mind is the subject of my dream." Here, the poet reflects on the power of the mind and its ability to shape our thoughts and actions.
The sixth stanza explores the theme of death. Lehman writes, "Death is the subject of my sestina / Death is the subject of my song / Death is the subject of my heart / Death is the subject of my mind / Death is the subject of my death / Death is the subject of my dream." The repetition of the word "death" emphasizes its inevitability and the impact it has on our lives.
Finally, in the seventh and final stanza, Lehman brings the poem to a close. He writes, "My faith is strong in love and time / My faith is strong in heart and mind / My faith is strong in death and dream." These lines bring the poem full circle, emphasizing the poet's belief in the power of these six end-words.
So, what is the significance of Lehman's Poetry Sestina in the world of poetry? First and foremost, it is a masterful example of poetic form and structure. The strict rules of the sestina form force the poet to be creative and innovative in their use of language and imagery. Lehman's repetition of the six end-words creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem, while also allowing him to explore six different themes in depth.
Beyond its formal qualities, Lehman's Poetry Sestina is also significant for its exploration of universal themes. Love, time, heart, mind, death, and dream are all themes that resonate with readers across cultures and time periods. By exploring these themes in depth, Lehman creates a work of art that is both timeless and relevant.
In conclusion, David Lehman's Poetry Sestina is a masterpiece of poetic form and structure. Its strict adherence to the sestina form creates a sense of unity and coherence, while also allowing the poet to explore six different themes in depth. Beyond its formal qualities, the poem is significant for its exploration of universal themes that resonate with readers across cultures and time periods. Overall, Lehman's Poetry Sestina is a work of art that deserves to be celebrated and studied by poetry lovers everywhere.
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