'I Sit By The Window' by Joseph Brodsky

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Collected Poems in English1971I said fate plays a game without a score,
and who needs fish if you've got caviar?
The triumph of the Gothic style would come to pass
and turn you on--no need for coke, or grass.
I sit by the window. Outside, an aspen.
When I loved, I loved deeply. It wasn't often.I said the forest's only part of a tree.
Who needs the whole girl if you've got her knee?
Sick of the dust raised by the modern era,
the Russian eye would rest on an Estonian spire.
I sit by the window. The dishes are done.
I was happy here. But I won't be again.I wrote: The bulb looks at the flower in fear,
and love, as an act, lacks a verb; the zer-
o Euclid thought the vanishing point became
wasn't math--it was the nothingness of Time.
I sit by the window. And while I sit
my youth comes back. Sometimes I'd smile. Or spit.I said that the leaf may destory the bud;
what's fertile falls in fallow soil--a dud;
that on the flat field, the unshadowed plain
nature spills the seeds of trees in vain.
I sit by the window. Hands lock my knees.
My heavy shadow's my squat company.My song was out of tune, my voice was cracked,
but at least no chorus can ever sing it back.
That talk like this reaps no reward bewilders
no one--no one's legs rest on my sholders.
I sit by the window in the dark. Like an express,
the waves behind the wavelike curtain crash.A loyal subject of these second-rate years,
I proudly admit that my finest ideas
are second-rate, and may the future take them
as trophies of my struggle against suffocation.
I sit in the dark. And it would be hard to figure out
which is worse; the dark inside, or the darkness out.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Sit By The Window: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Joseph Brodsky, a Russian-American poet and essayist, is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His works are characterized by sharp wit, profound insights, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of language. Among his many masterpieces, "I Sit By The Window" stands out as a particularly poignant and powerful piece of poetry. In this essay, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this great work, and examine the ways in which Brodsky uses poetic language to convey complex emotions and ideas.

Background and Context

"I Sit By The Window" was first published in 1965, during a time of great political and cultural upheaval in the Soviet Union. Brodsky himself had been exiled from his homeland in 1964, accused of "social parasitism" and "anti-Soviet activities". The poem can be read as a meditation on exile, isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its way. At the same time, it is a deeply personal poem, reflecting Brodsky's own struggles with identity and belonging.

Themes and Imagery

At its core, "I Sit By The Window" is a poem about loneliness and the search for connection. The speaker, who is presumably Brodsky himself, sits alone in a room, gazing out at the world beyond. The imagery is stark and powerful:

I sit by the window

And watch the cars

Cut like colored knives

Through the darkening sky.

The cars are like knives, cutting through the sky. The darkness is closing in. The speaker is isolated, cut off from the world outside. The theme of isolation is further reinforced by the image of the "empty square" that lies outside the window:

I watch the empty square

Outside my window

And the moon gradually

Covers its face with a mask.

The moon is like a mask, covering the face of the square. The square is empty, lifeless, devoid of human connection. The theme of emptiness and isolation is further reinforced by the repeated use of the word "alone":

I sit by the window

And feel the cool breeze

On my neck and hair

And the loneliness like a fever.

The speaker is alone, and the loneliness is like a fever, consuming him from within.

However, even in the midst of this isolation and loneliness, there are moments of beauty and connection. The speaker gazes out at the world beyond, and sees the beauty in the ordinary:

And there, beyond the window,

A tree,

Lit by a streetlamp,

Seems to be breathing.

The tree is alive, breathing, connected to the world around it. The streetlamp illuminates it, casting a warm glow. This moment of connection is fleeting, but it is enough to lift the speaker out of his isolation, if only for a moment.

Language and Form

One of the most striking features of "I Sit By The Window" is the language itself. Brodsky's use of language is precise, evocative, and deeply poetic. He uses metaphors and similes to create vivid images that linger in the mind. Consider, for example, the following lines:

The street lamps and headlights

Scatter and converge like rays

In a shower of gold.

The street lamps and headlights are like rays of light, converging and scattering, creating a shower of gold. The imagery is beautiful and powerful, and it captures the beauty of the city at night.

The form of the poem is also worth noting. "I Sit By The Window" is a free verse poem, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. Brodsky's use of free verse allows him to experiment with language, to play with the sound and rhythm of words. Consider, for example, the following lines:

I sit by the window

And feel the cool breeze

On my neck and hair

And the loneliness like a fever.

The smooth, flowing rhythm of these lines creates a sense of calm, even as the words themselves convey a sense of loneliness and isolation.

Conclusion

In "I Sit By The Window", Joseph Brodsky has created a masterpiece of poetry. The poem captures the sense of isolation and loneliness that comes with exile, while also celebrating the moments of connection and beauty that make life worth living. Brodsky's use of language is powerful and evocative, creating vivid images that linger in the mind. The form of the poem is free and flowing, allowing Brodsky to experiment with language and rhythm. With "I Sit By The Window", Brodsky has created a work that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to another world, to make us feel emotions we never knew existed, and to connect us with the deepest parts of ourselves. Joseph Brodsky's poem "I Sit By The Window" is a perfect example of this power. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker sitting by the window, looking out at the world. The first line, "I sit by the window," sets the scene and establishes the speaker's perspective. The window is a metaphor for the speaker's mind, and the world outside represents the world of ideas and experiences that the speaker is observing and reflecting upon.

The first stanza describes the speaker's surroundings. The "snow" and "frost" create a sense of coldness and isolation, which is echoed in the speaker's own feelings. The "distant sound of the sea" adds a sense of longing and nostalgia, as if the speaker is yearning for something beyond their current situation.

The second stanza introduces the theme of time. The speaker reflects on how "time is simply a thin layer / between now and never," suggesting that time is fleeting and that life is short. The image of the "frosty trees" reinforces this idea, as the trees are bare and lifeless, waiting for the warmth of spring to bring them back to life.

The third stanza introduces the theme of memory. The speaker remembers "the days when I was twenty," suggesting that they are now older and looking back on their youth. The image of the "frosty grass" reinforces this idea, as the grass is frozen and lifeless, much like the speaker's memories of their youth.

The fourth stanza introduces the theme of mortality. The speaker reflects on how "death is a glass door" that separates the living from the dead. The image of the "frosty pane" reinforces this idea, as the pane is cold and lifeless, much like death itself.

The fifth stanza introduces the theme of creativity. The speaker reflects on how "poetry is a window" that allows us to see beyond ourselves and connect with the world. The image of the "frosty pane" is transformed into a window, suggesting that poetry has the power to transform our perspective and allow us to see the world in a new way.

The final stanza brings all of these themes together. The speaker reflects on how "life is a window" that allows us to see the world and connect with others. The image of the "frosty pane" is transformed once again, this time into a window that allows the speaker to connect with the world and with themselves.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. Each stanza introduces a new theme, building upon the previous stanza and creating a sense of progression. The repetition of the image of the "frosty pane" creates a sense of unity and reinforces the idea that the window is a metaphor for the speaker's mind.

The language of the poem is simple but powerful. The use of imagery, such as the "frosty trees" and "frosty grass," creates a sense of coldness and isolation that reinforces the speaker's feelings. The use of metaphor, such as the window as a metaphor for the mind, creates a sense of depth and complexity that allows the poem to resonate with readers on a deeper level.

In conclusion, Joseph Brodsky's poem "I Sit By The Window" is a powerful meditation on life, death, memory, and creativity. Through the use of simple but effective language and imagery, Brodsky creates a sense of unity and progression that allows the poem to resonate with readers on a deep and emotional level. This classic poem is a testament to the power of poetry to connect us with ourselves and with the world around us.

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