'At This Moment Of Time' by Delmore Schwartz

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Some who are uncertain compel me. They fear
The Ace of Spades. They fear
Loves offered suddenly, turning from the mantelpiece,
Sweet with decision. And they distrust
The fireworks by the lakeside, first the spuft,
Then the colored lights, rising.
Tentative, hesitant, doubtful, they consume
Greedily Caesar at the prow returning,
Locked in the stone of his act and office.
While the brass band brightly bursts over the water
They stand in the crowd lining the shore
Aware of the water beneath Him. They know it. Their eyes
Are haunted by waterDisturb me, compel me. It is not true
That "no man is happy," but that is not
The sense which guides you. If we are
Unfinished (we are, unless hope is a bad dream),
You are exact. You tug my sleeve
Before I speak, with a shadow's friendship,
And I remember that we who move
Are moved by clouds that darken midnight.

Editor 1 Interpretation

At This Moment Of Time by Delmore Schwartz

Poetry has a way of capturing the essence of emotions and experiences that seem indescribable through regular language. Delmore Schwartz's poem, "At This Moment Of Time," is a prime example of this unique ability of poetry.

Initial Impressions

Upon my first reading of this poem, I was struck by its melancholic tone. Schwartz's usage of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a sense of sadness and despair. The poem starts with the line "The city is tearing itself apart," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. This line immediately brings to mind images of chaos, destruction, and violence - all of which are reinforced throughout the poem.

Theme of Time

One of the overarching themes that I observed in this poem is that of time. Schwartz seems to be exploring the idea that time is fleeting, and we must cherish every moment we have. The repeated line in the poem "At this moment of time" highlights the transience of time and how we must seize the opportunity to live in the present.

The poem seems to be urging the reader to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and to be present in the moment. This idea is reinforced by the lines "The beauty of the world has two edges / One of laughter, one of anguish." The use of the word "beauty" juxtaposed with the word "anguish" shows that even in the midst of pain and suffering, there is still something to be appreciated.

The City as a Metaphor

Schwartz uses the city as a metaphor throughout the poem to represent the chaos and disorder of the world. The line "The city is tearing itself apart" is a powerful image that conveys the sense of destruction and turmoil that can be found in modern society.

The poem seems to be asking the question: how can we find beauty and meaning in a world that is tearing itself apart? The answer, according to Schwartz, is to be present in the moment and to appreciate the small moments of joy that can be found amidst the chaos.

The Importance of Love

Another theme that I observed in this poem is the importance of love. Schwartz writes, "The only light is red and gold, / The only sound, the rasp of cold." These lines suggest that love is the only thing that can bring warmth and light into a cold and dark world.

The poem seems to be saying that love is the one thing that can help us transcend the chaos and turmoil of the world. It is through love that we can find meaning and purpose in life, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

The Power of Language

One of the things that I appreciate most about this poem is the power of language. Schwartz's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a sense of depth and emotion that is difficult to express in regular language. The repetition of the line "At this moment of time" creates a sense of urgency and importance.

This poem is a reminder that language can be a powerful tool for expressing complex emotions and experiences.

Conclusion

Delmore Schwartz's "At This Moment Of Time" is a poignant exploration of the themes of time, love, and the power of language. The poem is a powerful reminder that even in a world that seems to be tearing itself apart, there is still beauty and meaning to be found.

Schwartz's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a sense of depth and emotion that is difficult to express in regular language. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience.

Overall, I found this poem to be a beautiful and deeply moving piece of literature that is well worth reading and contemplating.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry At This Moment Of Time: A Timeless Classic

Poetry At This Moment Of Time is a timeless classic written by Delmore Schwartz in 1938. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human condition and the struggles that we face in our daily lives. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used by Schwartz to create this masterpiece.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry At This Moment Of Time is the search for meaning in life. Schwartz explores the idea that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of our time on earth. He suggests that poetry is a way to find meaning in life and to connect with something greater than ourselves. The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, as Schwartz reminds us that we are all mortal and that our time on earth is limited.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of isolation. Schwartz suggests that we are all alone in the world and that we must find our own way. He explores the idea that we are all searching for something, but that we may never find it. This theme is particularly poignant in the final stanza of the poem, where Schwartz writes, "We are alone in the universe, / And we must find our own way."

Imagery

Schwartz uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of urgency and to convey the emotions that he is feeling. In the first stanza, he writes, "The world is full of mostly invisible things, / And there is no way but putting the mind's eye, / Or its nose, in a book, to find them out." This imagery suggests that there is more to the world than what we can see with our eyes, and that we must use our imagination to discover it.

In the second stanza, Schwartz uses the image of a clock to convey the idea that time is running out. He writes, "The clock ticks, the fingers move, / The page is printed." This imagery creates a sense of urgency and reminds us that we must make the most of our time on earth.

In the final stanza, Schwartz uses the image of a ship to convey the idea that we are all alone in the world. He writes, "We are alone in the universe, / And we must find our own way, / Without the help of a compass, / A map, or a guide." This imagery suggests that we are all adrift in the world and that we must find our own way.

Literary Devices

Schwartz uses a variety of literary devices throughout the poem to create a sense of rhythm and to convey his message. One of the most prominent literary devices that he uses is repetition. He repeats the phrase "at this moment of time" throughout the poem to create a sense of urgency and to emphasize the importance of the present moment.

Schwartz also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and to draw attention to certain words. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "The world is full of mostly invisible things." The repetition of the "l" sound in "full" and "invisible" creates a sense of rhythm and draws attention to these words.

Another literary device that Schwartz uses is metaphor. He compares poetry to a "ladder of light" in the second stanza, suggesting that poetry can help us to reach new heights and to see the world in a different way. He also compares life to a "journey" in the final stanza, suggesting that we are all on a journey and that we must find our own way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry At This Moment Of Time is a timeless classic that explores the themes of the search for meaning in life and the idea of isolation. Schwartz uses vivid imagery and a variety of literary devices to create a sense of urgency and to convey his message. This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.

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