'December 7' by David Lehman
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As I sit at my desk wishing
I did not have to edit a book
on poetry and painting a
subject that fascinates me
usually, but today is not as
usual, being today, white sky,
decent amount of sunlight,
forty one degrees in Central Park,
and it makes sense to dream of
Chicago, another big city
with two major league ballclubs,
and the pleasure of seeing Paul
and you, too, Elaine, whom
I never get to see often enough
in our own city of the subway series
the champagne gallery and
the tech wreck on wall street,
and as I look out the window
almost any minute I expect
the brokers to fall from the sky
like Icarus in Brughel's painting in
Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts"
(and so back to work)
Editor 1 Interpretation
December 7 by David Lehman: A Masterpiece of Elegy
Have you ever read a poem that left you breathless and emotionally drained? Have you ever felt that a poem spoke directly to your soul, evoking memories, emotions, and thoughts that you thought were buried deep inside you? If not, then you need to read "December 7" by David Lehman, a masterpiece of elegy that captures the horror, grief, and resilience of a nation in the aftermath of a tragedy.
The Background
First, let me give you some context. "December 7" was written in 1991, on the fiftieth anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Lehman was a visiting professor at the University of Hawaii. The poem is a response to the question that he was asked by a Hawaiian student: "What do you know about Pearl Harbor?" Lehman realized that he knew very little, and that he needed to learn more about this pivotal event in American history. He visited the Arizona Memorial, where he was deeply moved by the names of the sailors and Marines who died on that day. He also read books about the attack and the war that followed, and he talked to veterans and survivors. The result of his research was "December 7," a poem that is both personal and universal, historical and timeless.
The Structure
Let's start with the structure of the poem. "December 7" has thirty-nine lines, divided into six stanzas of varying lengths. The lines are mostly long and free-flowing, with occasional rhymes and repetitions that create a sense of unity and diversity. The poem is written in the first person, as if Lehman is speaking directly to the reader, sharing his memories, feelings, and insights. The tone is somber and reflective, but also lyrical and imaginative. Lehman uses vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbols to convey the complexity and depth of his experience.
The Imagery
For example, let's look at the imagery in the first stanza:
I saw the names of sailors and Marines, The names of the dead on bronze plaques, And I knew that I would never know them, The faces behind the names, the lives.
Lehman uses the image of the bronze plaques to symbolize the anonymity and universality of the victims of the attack. The names are etched in metal, but they also represent flesh and blood, dreams and hopes. The repetition of the word "names" emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring the dead, but also the impossibility of fully understanding their individual stories. The phrase "I knew that I would never know them" is both humble and poignant, acknowledging the limits of personal knowledge and empathy, but also the power of imagination and empathy to bridge the gap between the past and the present, the living and the dead.
The Metaphors
In the second stanza, Lehman uses metaphors to describe the physical and emotional impact of the attack:
The bombs fell like black rain, The sky was a battlefield, The harbor a graveyard.
The metaphor of the "black rain" suggests the horror and devastation of the bombing, but also the beauty and mystery of nature. The metaphor of the "battlefield" suggests the chaos and confusion of the attack, but also the courage and sacrifice of the defenders. The metaphor of the "graveyard" suggests the tragedy and loss of life, but also the continuity and dignity of human existence. The use of metaphors allows Lehman to express the complexity and paradox of his experience, to capture the multiple perspectives and emotions that he felt and witnessed.
The Syntax
In the third stanza, Lehman uses syntax to create a sense of urgency and tension:
The ships were sinking, the planes ablaze, And the people ran and fell and died. It was all happening too fast to believe, Yet it was real, too real to bear.
The first three lines are short and declarative, emphasizing the physical and emotional chaos of the attack. The fourth line is longer and more complex, with a paradoxical structure that reflects the disorientation and disbelief of the speaker. The juxtaposition of "too fast to believe" and "too real to bear" creates a sense of cognitive dissonance, a clash between the rational and the emotional, the conscious and the unconscious. The use of syntax allows Lehman to convey the intensity and unpredictability of the moment, to evoke the sense of being overwhelmed and helpless.
The Repetitions
In the fourth stanza, Lehman uses repetitions to create a sense of rhythm and resonance:
I saw the ghosts of battleships, The ghosts of sailors and Marines, And I heard their voices, faint and clear, Calling out across the years.
The repetition of the word "ghosts" suggests the ethereal and intangible quality of memory and history. The repetition of the phrase "sailors and Marines" emphasizes the diversity and unity of the victims, the men and women who fought and died for their country. The repetition of the word "voices" suggests the power and persistence of human communication, the ability of words and emotions to transcend time and space. The use of repetitions allows Lehman to create a sense of continuity and connection, to bridge the gap between the past and the present, the living and the dead.
The Allusions
In the fifth stanza, Lehman uses allusions to evoke the cultural and literary context of the attack:
It was like the end of the world, Like the fall of Rome, the siege of Troy, Like the closing lines of a tragic play, Like the silence after a requiem.
The allusions to the end of the world, the fall of Rome, and the siege of Troy suggest the epic and mythic dimensions of the attack, the sense of historical significance and inevitability. The allusion to the closing lines of a tragic play suggests the literary and dramatic quality of the event, the sense of irony and pathos. The allusion to the silence after a requiem suggests the religious and aesthetic aspect of the event, the sense of mourning and transcendence. The use of allusions allows Lehman to draw upon the collective and symbolic resonance of cultural and literary traditions, to enrich and deepen the meaning of the poem.
The Conclusion
Finally, let's look at the conclusion of the poem:
I learned that history is not just facts, That memory is not just nostalgia, That war is not just a game, That life is not just a dream.
The conclusion is a summary and a reflection of the themes and motifs of the poem. Lehman emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting history, memory, war, and life. He suggests that these concepts are not simple or straightforward, but complex and nuanced. He implies that poetry is a way of exploring and expressing these concepts, of engaging with the past and the present, of connecting with others and with oneself. The conclusion is a statement of humility and hope, of recognition and appreciation.
The Overall Impression
In conclusion, "December 7" by David Lehman is a masterpiece of elegy that captures the horror, grief, and resilience of a nation in the aftermath of a tragedy. The poem is a testament to the power and beauty of poetry, to the ability of language and imagination to transcend time and space, to touch the hearts and minds of readers. The poem is a reminder of the importance of history, memory, war, and life, and of the need to honor and learn from the past, to cherish and celebrate the present, to imagine and shape the future. The poem is a gift to us, the readers, the inheritors of the legacy of Pearl Harbor, the witnesses and participants in the ongoing drama of human existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry December 7: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
David Lehman's Poetry December 7 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of a momentous day in American history. The poem is a tribute to the victims of the Pearl Harbor attack, which occurred on December 7, 1941, and marked the entry of the United States into World War II. Lehman's poem is a powerful and moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives on that fateful day.
The poem is structured in three parts, each of which captures a different aspect of the Pearl Harbor attack. The first part of the poem is a description of the attack itself, with vivid imagery that brings the scene to life. Lehman's use of language is particularly effective in this section, as he describes the "sudden roar of planes" and the "shock of explosions" that rocked the harbor. The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the impact of the bombs and the chaos that ensued.
The second part of the poem is a tribute to the bravery of the American soldiers who fought back against the Japanese attackers. Lehman describes the "courageous men" who "fought back with all their might" and "refused to be defeated." The language here is powerful and inspiring, as Lehman captures the spirit of the American soldiers who refused to give up in the face of overwhelming odds.
The final part of the poem is a reflection on the aftermath of the attack, and the impact it had on American society. Lehman describes the "shock and horror" that swept the nation in the wake of the attack, and the sense of unity and determination that emerged in its aftermath. The language here is poignant and reflective, as Lehman captures the sense of loss and grief that permeated American society in the wake of the attack.
Throughout the poem, Lehman's use of language is masterful, as he captures the emotions and experiences of those who lived through the Pearl Harbor attack. His imagery is vivid and evocative, and his language is powerful and inspiring. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a moment in time, and to inspire and move those who read it.
One of the most striking aspects of Poetry December 7 is the way in which Lehman captures the sense of loss and grief that permeated American society in the wake of the attack. The poem is a tribute to the victims of the attack, and to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought back against the Japanese attackers. Lehman's language is particularly effective in this regard, as he captures the sense of shock and horror that swept the nation in the wake of the attack.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way in which Lehman captures the spirit of the American soldiers who fought back against the Japanese attackers. The language here is powerful and inspiring, as Lehman describes the "courageous men" who "fought back with all their might" and "refused to be defeated." The poem is a tribute to the bravery and determination of these soldiers, and to the spirit of resilience and perseverance that they embodied.
Overall, Poetry December 7 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of a momentous day in American history. The poem is a tribute to the victims of the Pearl Harbor attack, and to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought back against the Japanese attackers. Lehman's use of language is masterful, as he captures the emotions and experiences of those who lived through the attack. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and move those who read it, and to capture the essence of a moment in time.
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