'Slant' by Stephen Dunn

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Yesterday, for a long while,
the early morning sunlight
in the trees was sufficient,
replaced by a hello
from a long-limbed woman
pedaling her bike,
whereupon the wind came up,
dispersing the mosquitoes.
Blessings, all.
I'd come so far, it seemed,
happily looking for so little.But then I saw a cow in a room
looking at the painting of a cow
in a field -- all of which
was a painting itself --
and I felt I'd been invited
into the actual, someplace
between the real and the real.The trees, now, are trees
I'm seeing myself seeing.
I'll always deny that I kissed her.
I was just whispering into her mouth.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry that Isn't Straightforward: A Critical Analysis of Stephen Dunn's "Slant"

When it comes to poetry, readers often expect a straightforward narrative with a clear message. However, Stephen Dunn's "Slant," challenges this notion, presenting a collection of poems that are anything but straightforward. Dunn, an award-winning poet, explores themes of love, mortality, and identity, using language that is complex and layered. In this essay, I will provide a critical analysis of Dunn's "Slant," exploring the various literary techniques he employs to convey his messages and the meanings behind the poems.

The Language of "Slant"

One of the most striking aspects of "Slant" is the language Dunn uses. His poems are not simple, linear narratives but are instead complex and multi-layered. Dunn often employs metaphors, similes, and personification to convey his messages. For example, in the poem "The Sacred," Dunn uses the metaphor of a "hungry god" to describe the way in which love can consume a person. He writes:

"There's a hungry god inside me who wants to be fed. He's howling and I'm afraid he'll never stop."

Here, Dunn uses the metaphor of a "hungry god" to describe the intensity of his desire for love. The metaphor is powerful because it conveys a sense of something larger than life, something that is beyond the speaker's control. The image of the "howling" god is also effective, as it suggests a sense of desperation and longing.

Dunn also uses similes to great effect. In the poem "Deposition," he compares the pain of a broken heart to "a small animal / struggling for life." This simile is effective because it conveys a sense of something fragile and vulnerable, something that must be protected. The use of the word "struggling" also suggests a sense of resistance, as if the heart is fighting against its own demise.

Personification is another literary technique that Dunn uses to great effect in "Slant." In the poem "The Unnamed," he personifies death, writing:

"Death is a shy bird that lights on the wire and holds perfectly still."

Here, Dunn gives death qualities of a bird - it is shy and still. This personification is effective because it creates a sense of unease and mystery around death. By giving death these qualities, Dunn imbues it with a sense of agency - it is not simply an abstract concept, but something that is active and alive.

Themes of Love and Mortality

The poems in "Slant" explore two major themes: love and mortality. These themes are often intertwined, as Dunn explores the way in which love can both give meaning to life and make mortality all the more poignant.

In the poem "The Sacred," Dunn explores the intensity of love, writing:

"This is what I want: to be in love with a sacred rage that conquers time and death and makes me the next thing to a wild man."

Here, Dunn suggests that love can give life a sense of meaning and purpose. The use of the word "sacred" is also significant, as it suggests that love can be a spiritual experience, something that transcends the physical realm.

However, Dunn also explores the darker side of love. In the poem "Deposition," he writes:

"No one warned me that love is not only a litany of roses, and as beautiful as arms that kept me safe. No one warned me of the pain that comes with anything so alive."

Here, Dunn suggests that love can also be painful and difficult. The use of the word "pain" is significant, as it suggests that love can be a source of suffering. However, Dunn also suggests that this pain is worth it, as love is "as beautiful as arms that kept me safe."

Dunn also explores the theme of mortality throughout "Slant." In the poem "The Unnamed," he writes:

"The unnamed, who come and go unremarked, have their own kind of music, a silence, a way of being in the world that makes all the noise around them irrelevant."

Here, Dunn suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that those who have passed away have their own kind of beauty. The use of the word "music" is significant, as it suggests that death can be a beautiful and peaceful experience. However, Dunn also suggests that death is something to be feared, writing in the same poem:

"And when I die, I want to die in the midst of music, so it can take me like a thief, so I can vanish in the beauty of the unknown."

Here, Dunn suggests that death is something unknown and mysterious. The use of the word "thief" is significant, as it suggests that death is something that takes us by surprise, something that we cannot control.

Identity and Self-Discovery

In addition to exploring themes of love and mortality, Dunn also explores the theme of identity and self-discovery. In the poem "The Routine," he writes:

"I want to be someone else for a while, someone not so entrenched in routine, someone with a different name and a different face."

Here, Dunn suggests that we all have a desire to reinvent ourselves, to break free from the routines and patterns that define our lives. The use of the word "entrenched" is significant, as it suggests that these routines are deeply ingrained in us, and that breaking free from them is a difficult task.

In the poem "Everyday Life," Dunn explores the idea of self-discovery, writing:

"I want to discover something within myself that's never been found, something that poet I admire would write about, something that would make me stand up and walk out of my life."

Here, Dunn suggests that self-discovery is a process of uncovering something hidden within ourselves. The use of the word "admire" is significant, as it suggests that we are influenced by the people we admire and that their work can inspire us to uncover something new within ourselves.

Conclusion

In "Slant," Stephen Dunn explores themes of love, mortality, and identity, using language that is complex and layered. His poems challenge the notion of poetry as a straightforward narrative, instead presenting readers with multi-layered images and metaphors. Through his exploration of these themes, Dunn creates a sense of mystery and wonder, suggesting that there is much to be discovered within ourselves and within the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Slant: A Masterpiece by Stephen Dunn

Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it continues to captivate and inspire people to this day. One of the most celebrated poets of our time is Stephen Dunn, and his poem "Poetry Slant" is a masterpiece that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated.

"Poetry Slant" is a short poem that consists of only eight lines, but it packs a powerful punch. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Dunn to experiment with the form and structure of the poem, and he does so brilliantly.

The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece: "Sometimes, when a poem comes out of you, it's half-dead." This line is both startling and intriguing, as it suggests that the act of writing poetry can be a painful and difficult process. Dunn is not afraid to confront the harsh realities of the creative process, and he does so with honesty and vulnerability.

The second line of the poem continues this theme: "It bears an uncanny resemblance to the thing you thought you'd said." Here, Dunn is suggesting that the poem that emerges from the writer's mind is not always what they intended to say. This can be frustrating and disheartening, but it is also a reminder that the act of writing is not always about control or perfection.

The third and fourth lines of the poem are perhaps the most famous: "As if the poem is a conversation between two people, / one living and one dead." This metaphor is both haunting and beautiful, as it suggests that the poem is a bridge between the living and the dead. The writer is able to communicate with those who have passed on through the act of writing, and this is a powerful and moving idea.

The fifth line of the poem is a continuation of this metaphor: "The dead one stands beside you, nodding like a god, / and you say, Yes. That's what I meant." Here, Dunn is suggesting that the writer is able to connect with the dead through the poem, and that the dead are able to understand and appreciate the writer's work. This is a comforting and reassuring thought, as it suggests that the act of writing is not a solitary one.

The sixth and seventh lines of the poem are a reflection on the act of writing itself: "It's not what you wanted, but it's / what you had in mind." Here, Dunn is suggesting that the act of writing is not always about achieving perfection or meeting a specific goal. Instead, it is about exploring ideas and emotions, and allowing the words to take on a life of their own.

The final line of the poem is a powerful conclusion: "It's like a slant rhyme in a song you thought / you'd never heard before." Here, Dunn is suggesting that the act of writing is like discovering a new song or a new idea. It is a moment of discovery and wonder, and it is something that can be shared and appreciated by others.

In conclusion, "Poetry Slant" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated. Dunn's use of metaphor and imagery is both powerful and moving, and his willingness to confront the harsh realities of the creative process is both honest and refreshing. This poem is a reminder that the act of writing is not always about control or perfection, but about exploring ideas and emotions, and allowing the words to take on a life of their own.

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