'Year's End' by Weldon Kees

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The state cracked where they left your breath
No longer instrument. Along the shore
The sand ripped up, and the newer blood
Streaked like a vein to every monument.
The empty smoke that drifted near the guns
Where the stiff motor pounded in the mud
Had the smell of a hundred burned-out suns.
The ceiling of your sky went dark.
A year ago today they cracked your bones.So rot in a closet in the ground
For the bad trumpets and the capitol's
Long seasonable grief. Rot for its guests,
Alive, that step away from death. Yet you,
A year cold, come more living to this room
Than these intruders, vertical and warm.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Weldon Kees' "Year's End"

As we approach the end of the year, we often find ourselves reflecting on the past year and looking forward to what the new year will bring. In the poem "Year's End" by Weldon Kees, we see this same sentiment reflected through beautiful imagery and thought-provoking symbolism.

Let's take a deep dive into this classic poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and interpretations.

Background Information on Weldon Kees

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn about the poet behind it. Weldon Kees was an American poet, writer, and artist who was born in 1914 and disappeared in 1955. He was a member of the San Francisco Renaissance movement and was known for his modernist style and bleak themes. Kees' work often explored the emptiness of modern life and the search for meaning and purpose in an increasingly chaotic world.

Now that we have a bit of context, let's take a look at the poem itself.

Analysis of "Year's End"

Theme and Subject Matter

"Year's End" is a reflection on the passing of time and the cyclical nature of life. The poem's speaker is contemplating the end of one year and the beginning of another, using the changing seasons as a metaphor for the passage of time. The poem's themes include the inevitability of change, the transience of life, and the desire for renewal and rebirth.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows the poet to focus on the imagery and language of the poem, enhancing its emotional impact. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and mood.

Literary Devices

Kees uses a variety of literary devices in "Year's End" to convey his message and enhance the poem's impact.

Imagery: The poet uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "The nights are damp and the air is still / Here by the lake the ouzel / Whistles through the mist." This creates a sense of stillness and melancholy, as well as conjuring up an image of a misty lake.

Metaphor: Kees uses the changing seasons as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change. For example, in the second stanza, he writes, "The leaves fall, fall in the water / Like knives falling." This metaphor not only describes the physical process of leaves falling but also conveys a sense of sharpness and finality.

Symbolism: The poet uses symbolism throughout the poem to convey deeper meanings. For example, the image of the "ouzel" in the first stanza symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, as the bird is known for its ability to dive underwater and emerge unscathed. The image of the "gong-tormented" city in the third stanza symbolizes the chaos and confusion of modern life.

Interpretation

"Year's End" is a poem that explores the human desire for renewal and rebirth in the face of a changing world. The poet uses the changing seasons as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The poem's imagery, metaphor, and symbolism all work together to create a sense of melancholy and uncertainty, as well as a glimmer of hope for the future.

The first stanza sets the mood for the poem, describing a damp and still night by the lake. The image of the "ouzel" whistling through the mist creates a sense of melancholy and longing, as if the speaker is searching for something that has been lost.

The second stanza takes on a more somber tone, describing the leaves falling into the water "like knives falling." This metaphor conveys a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the passage of time cannot be stopped or reversed. However, the stanza ends with a glimmer of hope, as the speaker says, "But we have our music / And it is long, long after the last man is dead." This suggests that even in the face of death and change, the human spirit can endure.

The third stanza takes on a more chaotic tone, describing the "gong-tormented" city and the "light that blinds" us. This image conveys a sense of confusion and uncertainty, as if the speaker is overwhelmed by the chaos of modern life. However, the stanza ends on a hopeful note, with the speaker declaring, "We shall receive the sacrament of the present moment, / Be, be, and know." This suggests that even in the face of chaos and confusion, we can find meaning and purpose in the present moment.

Overall, "Year's End" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human desire for renewal and rebirth in the face of a changing world. Kees' use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism all work together to create a sense of melancholy and uncertainty, as well as a glimmer of hope for the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Year's End" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Kees' exploration of the passing of time and the cyclical nature of life is both timeless and universal, and his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism creates a sense of emotion and atmosphere that is deeply affecting. Whether we are reflecting on the end of one year or the beginning of another, "Year's End" reminds us that even in the face of change and uncertainty, the human spirit can endure.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Year's End: A Masterpiece of Weldon Kees

Weldon Kees, an American poet, painter, and jazz pianist, was a master of his craft. His works are known for their stark realism, dark humor, and a sense of detachment. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Year's End," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience.

The poem begins with a description of the end of the year, a time when people reflect on their lives and the passing of time. Kees writes, "The end of the year is near, and so is the end of my rope." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of despair and hopelessness.

Kees then goes on to describe the world around him, which is filled with "dead leaves," "empty streets," and "cold winds." These images create a sense of desolation and loneliness, which is a recurring theme in Kees' work.

The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as Kees reflects on his own life. He writes, "I have been one acquainted with the night," a line that echoes Robert Frost's famous poem "Acquainted with the Night." This line suggests that Kees has experienced his fair share of darkness and despair.

Kees then goes on to describe his own struggles as a poet. He writes, "I have been one in a mask, afraid to speak my mind." This line suggests that Kees has struggled with expressing himself through his poetry, perhaps due to fear of rejection or criticism.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as Kees reflects on the nature of time and the passing of the years. He writes, "Time is a tree, this life one leaf," a line that suggests that our lives are just a small part of a larger, eternal cycle.

Kees then concludes the poem with a sense of resignation, writing, "And I am done with tears: I am content to live." This line suggests that Kees has come to accept his place in the world and is at peace with his own mortality.

Overall, "Poetry Year's End" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the human experience. Kees' use of vivid imagery, personal reflection, and philosophical musings create a sense of depth and complexity that is rare in modern poetry.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Kees' use of imagery. His descriptions of the world around him create a sense of desolation and loneliness that is palpable. The image of "dead leaves" and "empty streets" is particularly effective, as it suggests a world that is devoid of life and energy.

Kees' personal reflections are also a key aspect of the poem. His admission that he has been "one in a mask" suggests that he has struggled with expressing himself through his poetry. This is a common theme in Kees' work, as he often writes about the difficulties of being an artist in a world that does not always appreciate or understand art.

Finally, Kees' philosophical musings on the nature of time and the passing of the years are both profound and thought-provoking. His comparison of time to a tree and life to a leaf suggests that our lives are just a small part of a larger, eternal cycle. This is a theme that is common in many of Kees' poems, as he often writes about the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

In conclusion, "Poetry Year's End" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Kees' use of vivid imagery, personal reflection, and philosophical musings create a sense of depth and complexity that is rare in modern poetry. This poem is a testament to Kees' talent as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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