'Vermilion' by Linda Pastan

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Pierre Bonnard would enter
the museum with a tube of paint
in his pocket and a sable brush.
Then violating the sanctity
of one of his own frames
he'd add a stroke of vermilion
to the skin of a flower.
Just so I stopped you
at the door this morning
and licking my index finger, removed
an invisible crumb
from your vermilion mouth. As if
at the ritual moment of departure
I had to show you still belonged to me.
As if revision were
the purest form of love.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Vermilion: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Linda Pastan's Poem

Linda Pastan's poem "Vermilion" is a captivating work of art that captures the beauty of the color red, particularly in the form of vermilion. It is a short but powerful piece that speaks to the senses and emotions of the reader. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.

The Poem: A Brief Overview

Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, let us first take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Here is the poem in its entirety:

"Vermilion"

The color of scarlet in the bull's eye,

the first geisha's smile,

the red room where the lover's heart

still beats against the walls,

vermilion, you are the color of life's

other side, the side we long to see

when we close our eyes and look

inside ourselves. You are the color

of the mystery we cannot fathom,

the color of passion that knows

no boundaries, the color of blood

that flows through every vein

of this world, the color that says

we are alive, we are alive.

As you can see, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme or image. The first stanza focuses on the bull's eye, while the second stanza talks about the red room where lovers' hearts beat against the walls. In the final stanza, the poet speaks directly to vermilion, describing it as the color of life's other side, mystery, passion, and blood that flows through every vein of this world.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem, let us explore its deeper meaning and significance.

Theme: The Beauty of Vermilion

At its core, "Vermilion" is a celebration of the color red, specifically in the form of vermilion. The poem is an ode to the beauty and power of this color, which the poet describes as the color of life's other side, the mystery we cannot fathom, and the passion that knows no boundaries.

Throughout the poem, the poet uses vivid imagery to bring the color to life. In the first stanza, vermilion is the color of scarlet in the bull's eye, while in the second stanza, it is the color of the red room where lovers' hearts beat against the walls. These images are powerful and evocative, conjuring up feelings of excitement, passion, and even danger.

Furthermore, the poet's use of personification in the second stanza adds to the power of the imagery. The lover's heart beating against the walls of the red room brings to mind both the intensity of love and the idea of being trapped or confined. This creates a sense of tension and excitement that is carried through to the final stanza.

Overall, the theme of the poem is one of celebration and appreciation for the beauty of vermilion. The poet invites us to see the color not just as a physical phenomenon, but as a symbol of life, mystery, and passion.

Imagery: Bringing Vermilion to Life

As mentioned earlier, the imagery in "Vermilion" is one of its most powerful features. The poet uses vivid, sensory language to bring the color to life and evoke strong emotions in the reader.

One particularly striking example of this is the second stanza, where the poet describes the red room where lovers' hearts beat against the walls. This image is both sensual and intense, conjuring up feelings of passion, desire, and even danger. The use of personification here is particularly effective, as it makes the image come to life in a way that is both beautiful and unsettling.

Another example of powerful imagery in the poem is the use of the bull's eye in the first stanza. The image of scarlet in the bull's eye is striking and intense, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. This image also adds to the theme of danger that runs throughout the poem, as the bull's eye is traditionally associated with violence and aggression.

Finally, the use of blood in the final stanza is particularly effective. Blood is a visceral, physical substance that is closely associated with life and death. By describing vermilion as the color of blood that flows through every vein of this world, the poet is emphasizing the idea that the color is a symbol of life and vitality.

Literary Devices: Enhancing the Poem's Beauty

In addition to its powerful imagery, "Vermilion" also makes use of several literary devices to enhance its beauty and meaning. One such device is repetition, which is used throughout the poem to emphasize certain ideas and create a sense of rhythm.

For example, the repetition of "you are the color" in the final stanza emphasizes the centrality of vermilion to the poem's meaning. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, which adds to the poem's overall beauty and elegance.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The poet uses metaphors throughout the poem to compare vermilion to other things and create a sense of depth and complexity.

For example, in the first stanza, vermilion is compared to scarlet in the bull's eye. This metaphor emphasizes the intensity and danger associated with the color, while also suggesting a sense of precision and focus.

In the second stanza, vermilion is compared to the red room where lovers' hearts beat against the walls. This metaphor creates a powerful, sensual image that is both beautiful and unsettling.

Finally, in the final stanza, vermilion is compared to the color of blood that flows through every vein of this world. This metaphor emphasizes the idea that the color is a symbol of life and vitality, as well as the interconnectedness of all living things.

Conclusion: The Beauty of Vermilion

In conclusion, "Vermilion" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of the color red, specifically in the form of vermilion. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and effective literary devices, the poet brings the color to life and invites the reader to see it as a symbol of life, mystery, and passion.

Overall, "Vermilion" is a testament to the beauty and power of poetry, and a reminder of the profound impact that art can have on our lives. Whether you are a lover of poetry or a newcomer to the genre, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression and inspire you to see the world in a new light.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Vermilion: A Masterpiece of Linda Pastan

Linda Pastan, an American poet, has written numerous poems that have touched the hearts of many. One of her most famous works is Poetry Vermilion, which is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on people's lives. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "In the museum of your mind, you have arranged exhibits of your past." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is addressing someone who has a deep appreciation for art and history. The use of the word "museum" also implies that the person's mind is a place of great importance, where memories and experiences are preserved and displayed like works of art.

The next line, "You have hung Vermeers next to Van Goghs," further emphasizes the idea that the person's mind is a place of great beauty and sophistication. Vermeer and Van Gogh are two of the most famous painters in history, known for their exquisite use of color and light. By placing them side by side, the speaker is suggesting that the person's mind is a place where different forms of art can coexist and complement each other.

The third line, "But you have reserved a special room for poetry vermillion," is where the poem really takes off. The use of the word "vermillion" is significant, as it is a bright red color that symbolizes passion and intensity. By associating poetry with this color, the speaker is suggesting that poetry is a form of art that is particularly powerful and emotional.

The fact that the person has reserved a special room for poetry also suggests that it holds a special place in their heart. This is further emphasized in the next line, "Where the walls are the color of a beating heart." The use of the word "beating" suggests that the heart is alive and full of energy, which is a perfect metaphor for the power of poetry. The fact that the walls are the same color as the heart also suggests that poetry is intimately connected to the emotions and feelings of the person.

The next few lines of the poem describe the exhibits in the room of poetry vermillion. The speaker mentions "Shakespeare's sonnets, Donne's Holy Sonnets, and Dickinson's slant rhymes." These are all famous examples of poetry that are known for their emotional depth and complexity. By mentioning them, the speaker is suggesting that the person has a deep appreciation for poetry and has studied it extensively.

The final line of the poem, "And there, in the center of the room, is a single red rose," is a powerful image that ties the whole poem together. The red rose is a symbol of love and passion, which are two of the main themes of poetry. By placing it in the center of the room, the speaker is suggesting that poetry is at the heart of the person's life and is a source of great joy and inspiration.

Overall, Poetry Vermilion is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on people's lives. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a rich and complex picture of the person's mind and their relationship with poetry. The poem is a testament to the power of art and its ability to touch the hearts and souls of people all over the world.

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