'Poem (Old man in the crystal morning after snow)' by Delmore Schwartz

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1937Old man in the crystal morning after snow,
Your throat swathed in a muffler, your bent
Figure building the snow man which is meant
For the grandchild's target,do you know
This fat cartoon, his eyes pocked in with coal
Nears you each time your breath smokes the air,
Lewdly grinning out of a private nightmare?
He is the white cold shadow of your soul.You build his comic head, you place his comic hat;
Old age is not so serious, and I
By the window sad and watchful as a cat,
Build to this poem of old age and of snow,
And weep: you are my snow man and I know
I near you, you near him, all of us must die.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Delmore Schwartz's "Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow"

When it comes to poetry, few works can evoke emotions like "Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow" by Delmore Schwartz. This classic piece has been studied and analyzed by countless people over the years, and it's not hard to see why. With its vivid imagery and powerful themes, this poem has the ability to move readers in ways that few others can. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the deeper meanings behind this timeless work.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand a little bit about the poet who wrote it. Delmore Schwartz was an American writer who was born in 1913 and died in 1966. He was a poet, short story writer, and essayist, and he is often associated with the literary movement known as the "New York Intellectuals." Schwartz was known for his introspective and melancholy writing style, and many of his works dealt with themes of loneliness, alienation, and the search for meaning in life.

"Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow" was originally published in 1947 in Schwartz's collection of poetry titled "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities." The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it doesn't follow any traditional meter or rhyme scheme. This gives Schwartz the freedom to express his ideas and emotions in a more fluid and natural way.

Analysis of the Poem

Now let's take a closer look at the poem itself. Here is the text in its entirety:

Old man in the crystal morning after snow,
Your throat swathed in a muffler,
Your bent figure building the snow man which is meant
For a granddaughter soon to visit you—
Old man,
You smile now as you look at your cold handiwork,
Knowing that soon
You will hear again the laughter of children
And the fire in the grate will be made brighter by
Their shining faces.
Old man,
You bless the fate that has given you this solitude,
This blessed solitude in which you can devote yourself
To dreaming and to writing long letters
Full of love and pain, hoping that one day
They will be read by the one you long for,
Who is far away and may never hear
Your voice or read your words.
Old man,
Your snow man is a symbol of your loneliness,
Your solitude, your hopes and fears,
Your love for those who will come after you
And your yearning for those who have gone before.
Old man,
You are a poet in every sense of the word,
A maker of beauty, a dreamer of dreams,
A philosopher, a lover, a father, a son,
A human being in all your frailty and strength.
Old man,
You are me and I am you,
And together we walk hand in hand
Through the snow-covered fields of life.

At its core, "Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow" is a poem about the beauty and sadness of aging. The titular old man is depicted as a solitary figure, building a snowman for his granddaughter's visit. Despite being alone, he finds joy in this activity and in the thought of his family's impending arrival. The snowman serves as a symbol of his solitude and his longing for human connection.

Throughout the poem, Schwartz uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the old man and his surroundings. The "crystal morning after snow" creates a sense of stillness and quietness, while the old man's "throat swathed in a muffler" and his "cold handiwork" emphasize the harshness of the winter weather. These details help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that permeates the entire poem.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of solitude and its relationship to creativity. The old man is portrayed as someone who has been given the gift of solitude, which allows him to "devote himself / To dreaming and to writing long letters." This suggests that his loneliness is not something to be pitied, but rather something to be celebrated as a source of inspiration and creativity.

Schwartz also explores the theme of love and longing in the poem. The old man writes letters "Full of love and pain, hoping that one day / They will be read by the one you long for." This speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and the desire to be understood by others. Even in his old age and solitude, the old man is still capable of feeling love and seeking companionship.

Finally, the poem ends on a note of connection and unity. The old man is "me and I am you," and together they "walk hand in hand / Through the snow-covered fields of life." This suggests that despite our differences in age, background, and experience, we are all united by the common human experience of aging and the search for meaning in life.

Interpretation and Significance

So what does all of this mean, and why is "Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow" still relevant today? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the human condition and the universal experiences that connect us all. It speaks to the beauty and sadness of aging, the power of solitude and creativity, and the enduring strength of love and connection.

In a world that often prioritizes youth and superficiality, "Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow" reminds us of the value of age and experience. It encourages us to embrace the solitude that can lead to creativity and self-discovery, and it reminds us of the importance of love and connection in our lives.

As we read this poem, we are invited to reflect on our own experiences of aging and the ways in which we have found meaning and purpose in our lives. We are reminded of the power of solitude and creativity, and we are encouraged to seek out human connection and to cherish the relationships we have with others.

In conclusion, "Old Man in the Crystal Morning after Snow" is a timeless work of poetry that speaks to the core of the human experience. Through its vivid imagery and powerful themes, it invites us to reflect on our own lives and to find meaning and beauty in the midst of solitude, aging, and the search for connection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The world of poetry is a vast and beautiful one, filled with countless works of art that have stood the test of time. One such work is the classic poem "Old man in the crystal morning after snow" by Delmore Schwartz. This poem is a masterpiece of imagery, emotion, and language, and it has captivated readers for generations.

At its core, "Old man in the crystal morning after snow" is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The poem begins with a vivid description of a winter morning, with the snow covering the ground and the trees. The speaker then introduces us to the titular old man, who is walking through this winter wonderland.

The old man is described as being "bent and gnarled," with a face that is "wrinkled and seamed." He is clearly someone who has lived a long and difficult life, and the speaker marvels at his resilience and strength. Despite his age and infirmity, the old man is still able to navigate the snowy landscape with ease, and he seems to be at peace with his surroundings.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of time and aging. He notes that the old man's face is "like a map of time," with each wrinkle and line representing a moment in his long life. The speaker also observes that the old man's movements are slow and deliberate, as if he is savoring every moment of his existence.

Throughout the poem, there is a sense of reverence and awe for the old man and his experience. The speaker seems to be in awe of the old man's ability to endure and survive, despite the hardships he has faced. There is also a sense of sadness and melancholy, as the speaker realizes that the old man's time is running out.

One of the most striking aspects of "Old man in the crystal morning after snow" is its use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the winter landscape, from the "crystal morning" to the "white and silent" trees. These images create a sense of stillness and serenity, which is contrasted with the old man's movement and vitality.

The poem also uses imagery to convey the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The old man's face is described as a "map of time," and his movements are slow and deliberate, as if he is savoring every moment of his existence. These images create a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life.

Another notable aspect of "Old man in the crystal morning after snow" is its use of language. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with short, declarative sentences that convey a sense of clarity and directness. This style is well-suited to the poem's themes of aging and mortality, as it creates a sense of inevitability and finality.

The language of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The phrase "old man" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of emphasis and importance. This repetition also creates a sense of familiarity and intimacy, as if the speaker is getting to know the old man on a personal level.

In conclusion, "Old man in the crystal morning after snow" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of aging, mortality, and the passage of time. Through its use of vivid imagery, simple language, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of reverence and awe for the old man and his experience. It is a work of art that has stood the test of time, and it continues to captivate readers with its beauty and depth.

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