'Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day' by Delmore Schwartz

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1937Calmly we walk through this April's day,
Metropolitan poetry here and there,
In the park sit pauper and rentier,
The screaming children, the motor-car
Fugitive about us, running away,
Between the worker and the millionaire
Number provides all distances,
It is Nineteen Thirty-Seven now,
Many great dears are taken away,
What will become of you and me
(This is the school in which we learn...)
Besides the photo and the memory?
(...that time is the fire in which we burn.)(This is the school in which we learn...)
What is the self amid this blaze?
What am I now that I was then
Which I shall suffer and act again,
The theodicy I wrote in my high school days
Restored all life from infancy,
The children shouting are bright as they run
(This is the school in which they learn . . .)
Ravished entirely in their passing play!
(...that time is the fire in which they burn.)Avid its rush, that reeling blaze!
Where is my father and Eleanor?
Not where are they now, dead seven years,
But what they were then?No more? No more?
From Nineteen-Fourteen to the present day,
Bert Spira and Rhoda consume, consume
Not where they are now (where are they now?)
But what they were then, both beautiful;Each minute bursts in the burning room,
The great globe reels in the solar fire,
Spinning the trivial and unique away.
(How all things flash! How all things flare!)
What am I now that I was then?
May memory restore again and again
The smallest color of the smallest day:
Time is the school in which we learn,
Time is the fire in which we burn.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day: An Analysis

Delmore Schwartz's poem "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a masterpiece in the realm of modern poetry. From the opening line to the final stanza, Schwartz takes the reader on a journey through the emotions and experiences of a spring day. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the themes, imagery, and structure of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its significance.

Themes

At its core, "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a poem about the transience of life. The speaker begins by describing the beauty of the day, but quickly shifts to a more somber tone, acknowledging that "the earth is like a child that knows poems by heart." This metaphor suggests that the earth, like a child, is innocent and pure, but also vulnerable and easily influenced.

Throughout the poem, Schwartz contrasts the beauty of spring with the harsh realities of life and death. He describes the "blue sky" and "yellow sun," but also mentions "sorrow and love" and "the dead." This juxtaposition creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, as if the beauty of the day is fragile and fleeting.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of human connection. The speaker describes "the hand that love lays on our shoulders" and the "voice that speaks from above." These lines suggest that there is a spiritual or emotional connection between people and the natural world, and that this connection can bring comfort and understanding in times of uncertainty.

Imagery

Schwartz's use of imagery in "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is both vivid and evocative. He uses color and sensory details to create a rich and immersive experience for the reader.

For example, he describes the "bright, gold tulips" and "the green, embossed pattern" on the grass. These descriptions not only paint a picture in the reader's mind, but also convey the sense of joy and vitality that comes with spring.

On the other hand, Schwartz also uses darker imagery to convey the harsher realities of life. He mentions "the silence of wood and park" and "the grey smoke" from chimneys. These details create a sense of foreboding and uncertainty, as if the beauty of the day is threatened by the harshness of the world.

Structure

The structure of "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is both simple and complex. The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyming scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter.

However, within this simple structure, Schwartz creates a complex interplay of sound and meaning. He uses alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme to create a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, in the first stanza, the repeated "s" sound in "sky" and "sun" creates a sense of brightness and warmth, while the repeated "o" sound in "knows poems by heart" creates a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Overall, the structure of the poem serves to reinforce its themes and imagery. The simplicity of the form contrasts with the complexity of the ideas and emotions it conveys.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Schwartz trying to say with this poem?

At its core, "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life. The speaker acknowledges the joy and vitality of spring, but also recognizes the harshness and uncertainty of the world. Through this juxtaposition, he suggests that life is both beautiful and fleeting, and that we must appreciate it while we can.

Furthermore, the poem suggests that human connection and spirituality can bring comfort and understanding in times of uncertainty. The speaker refers to "the hand that love lays on our shoulders" and the "voice that speaks from above," suggesting that there is a higher power or force that can provide guidance and support.

In this sense, "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" can be seen as a call to appreciate the beauty of life, even in the face of adversity. It suggests that we must connect with each other and with the natural world, and that through this connection, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a masterful work of modern poetry. Through its themes, imagery, and structure, the poem conveys a sense of beauty, fragility, and uncertainty that is both universal and deeply personal. It is a poem that invites us to contemplate the mysteries of life, and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, even in the face of adversity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Delmore Schwartz's "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of life's fleeting nature. The poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It is a poignant reminder that life is short and that we must cherish every moment.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and establishes the central theme of mortality. The second stanza explores the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The third stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to live life to the fullest.

The first stanza begins with the line "Calmly we walk through this April's day," which sets the tone for the poem. The use of the word "calmly" suggests a sense of acceptance and resignation, as if the speaker has come to terms with the inevitability of death. The line "Metropolitan poetry here and there" suggests that the speaker is in a city, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of urban life. The use of the word "poetry" suggests that the speaker is attuned to the beauty of the world around them, even in the midst of the chaos of city life.

The second line of the stanza, "In the midst of the rain, the sun," is a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The rain represents the difficult times, while the sun represents the good times. The use of the word "midst" suggests that these two opposing forces are constantly present in our lives, and that we must learn to accept both the good and the bad.

The second stanza explores the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. The first line, "A walk on the wild side in the park," suggests a sense of adventure and excitement. The use of the word "wild" suggests that the speaker is exploring the untamed beauty of nature. The line "Butting the moist black velvet like the horns of new moon" is a metaphor for the beauty of nature. The use of the word "moist" suggests the freshness and vitality of nature, while the reference to the new moon suggests the cyclical nature of life.

The third stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to live life to the fullest. The first line, "The blackbird whirled in the autumn winds," is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. The blackbird represents life, while the autumn winds represent the passage of time. The line "It was a small part of the pantomime" suggests that life is just a small part of the larger drama of the universe.

The final lines of the poem, "Let us walk through the white shadow of the valley," are a call to action. The use of the word "us" suggests that the speaker is addressing the reader directly, urging them to join in the journey of life. The reference to the "white shadow of the valley" suggests that life is a journey through the unknown, and that we must embrace the uncertainty and take risks.

In conclusion, "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of life's fleeting nature. The poem is a poignant reminder that life is short and that we must cherish every moment. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid picture of the beauty of nature and the inevitability of death. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to live life to the fullest and embrace the uncertainty of the journey. Delmore Schwartz's "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day" is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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