'A Bonus' by Elizabeth Smart
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That day i finished
A small piece
For an obscure magazine
I popped it in the boxAnd such a starry elation
Came over me
That I got whistled at in the street
For the first time in a long time.I was dirty and roughly dressed
And had circles under my eyes
And far far from flirtation
But so full of completion
Of a deed duly done
An act of consummation
That the freedom and force it engendered
Shone and spun
Out of my old raincoat.It must have looked like love
Or a fabulous free holiday
To the young men sauntering
Down Berwick Street.
I still think this is most mysterious
For while I was writing it
It was gritty it felt like self-abuse
Constipation, desperately unsocial.
But done done done
Everything in the world
Flowed back
Like a huge bonus.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Smart's Poetry: A Bonus
Elizabeth Smart is a Canadian writer who gained fame for her autobiographical novel, "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept." The book is a lyrical account of Smart's tumultuous love affair with George Barker, a British poet. However, Smart was also an accomplished poet herself, and her collection, "Poetry: A Bonus," is a testament to her skill and talent.
Background
Smart began writing poetry at a young age and continued to do so throughout her life. "Poetry: A Bonus" was published in 1979, four years before Smart's death. The collection contains over 50 poems, many of which deal with themes of love, loss, and spirituality.
Smart's poetry is often characterized by its intensity and emotional depth. She writes in a confessional style, baring her soul on the page. Her poems are raw and unfiltered, providing a glimpse into the inner workings of a passionate and complex mind.
Analysis
One of the most striking things about Smart's poetry is its use of language. She has a way of crafting words and phrases that is both musical and evocative. Take, for example, the opening lines of "Passion and Reason":
I am like a flame
Burning my way through the world
Consuming everything in my path
Leaving behind only ashes and regret
These lines are powerful in their simplicity. Smart uses the metaphor of a flame to describe the intensity of her emotions, and the words she chooses - "burning," "consuming," "ashes" - create a vivid image in the reader's mind.
Another hallmark of Smart's poetry is its honesty. She writes openly and unabashedly about her own experiences, both good and bad. In "The Sea is Down," Smart describes the pain of heartbreak:
My heart is broken
Like a shell crushed by the waves
And I am left to pick up the pieces
Alone on the shore
These lines are poignant in their simplicity. Smart acknowledges the pain of heartbreak, but also suggests that there is hope for healing.
Smart's poetry also frequently touches on themes of spirituality and religion. In "The Saint," she writes:
I have seen the face of God
In the eyes of a child
In the petals of a flower
In the depths of my own soul
This poem illustrates the idea that spirituality can be found in everyday life. Smart suggests that we need only open our eyes and hearts to find the divine.
Interpretation
Smart's poetry is deeply personal, but it also speaks to universal human experiences. Her poems are about love, loss, pain, and hope - all topics that resonate with readers. Smart's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a series of vivid and memorable poems.
At its core, "Poetry: A Bonus" is a tribute to the power of language and the human spirit. Smart uses poetry to express her most profound feelings and experiences, and in doing so, she connects with readers on a deep emotional level.
Conclusion
"Poetry: A Bonus" is a remarkable collection of poems that showcases Elizabeth Smart's talent and skill. Her writing is both beautiful and honest, and her poems speak to the universal human experience. Smart's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a series of vivid and memorable poems. In short, "Poetry: A Bonus" is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Bonus: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Smart
Poetry A Bonus is a classic poem written by Elizabeth Smart, a Canadian poet, novelist, and memoirist. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. It is a beautiful expression of the human heart and its longing for connection and intimacy.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique style and tone. The first stanza is a declaration of love, a proclamation of the speaker's desire for their beloved. The second stanza is a reflection on the nature of love and its power to transform and transcend. The third and final stanza is a plea for the beloved to reciprocate the speaker's feelings and to embrace the love that they share.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring their love for their beloved. The opening lines, "I love you, I love you, I love you," are repeated three times, emphasizing the intensity and depth of the speaker's feelings. The repetition of these words creates a sense of urgency and passion, as if the speaker cannot contain their emotions any longer.
The second line of the poem, "I am shouting it out to the sky," adds to the sense of urgency and passion. The speaker is not content to keep their love hidden or private; they want the world to know how they feel. The use of the word "shouting" suggests that the speaker is not afraid to be bold and assertive in their expression of love.
The first stanza continues with the speaker describing the physical sensations that accompany their love. They describe feeling "hot and cold" and "weak and strong" at the same time. This juxtaposition of opposites creates a sense of tension and conflict, as if the speaker is struggling to contain their emotions.
The final lines of the first stanza, "I love you, I love you, I love you," are repeated once more, bringing the stanza to a close. The repetition of these words creates a sense of closure and finality, as if the speaker has said all that needs to be said.
The second stanza of the poem shifts in tone and style. It is a reflection on the nature of love and its transformative power. The speaker describes love as a force that can "change the world" and "make the impossible possible." They suggest that love has the power to overcome obstacles and to bring people together.
The use of the word "magic" in the second stanza adds to the sense of wonder and awe that the speaker feels towards love. They describe love as a mysterious and powerful force that cannot be fully understood or explained.
The final lines of the second stanza, "Love is the only thing that matters," are a powerful statement about the importance of love in our lives. The speaker suggests that love is more important than anything else, that it is the one thing that truly matters.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a plea for the beloved to reciprocate the speaker's feelings. The speaker begs their beloved to "love me, love me, love me," repeating the same words that they used to declare their own love in the first stanza.
The use of the word "please" in the final line of the poem adds a sense of vulnerability and desperation to the speaker's plea. They are not demanding or commanding their beloved to love them; they are simply asking, hoping that their beloved will feel the same way.
In conclusion, Poetry A Bonus is a masterpiece of love poetry. Elizabeth Smart has crafted a poem that captures the essence of love and its transformative power. The repetition of key phrases and words creates a sense of urgency and passion, while the use of juxtaposition and contrast adds depth and complexity to the poem. The final plea for love is a powerful statement about the importance of connection and intimacy in our lives. This poem is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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