'A Miracle For Breakfast' by Elizabeth Bishop

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North & South1946At six o'clock we were waiting for coffee,waiting for coffee and the charitable crumbthat was going to be served from a certain balcony-like kings of old, or like a miracle.It was still dark. One foot of the sunsteadied itself on a long ripple in the river.The first ferry of the day had just crossed the river.It was so cold we hoped that the coffeewould be very hot, seeing that the sunwas not going to warm us; and that the crumbwould be a loaf each, buttered, by a miracle.At seven a man stepped out on the balcony.He stood for a minute alone on the balconylooking over our heads toward the river.A servant handed him the makings of a miracle,consisting of one lone cup of coffeeand one roll, which he proceeded to crumb,his head, so to speak, in the clouds-along with the sun.Was the man crazy? What under the sunwas he trying to do, up there on his balcony!Each man received one rather hard crumb,which some flicked scornfully into the river,and, in a cup, one drop of the coffee.Some of us stood around, waiting for the miracle.I can tell what I saw next; it was not a miracle.A beautiful villa stood in the sunand from its doors came the smell of hot coffee.In front, a baroque white plaster balconyadded by birds, who nest along the river,-I saw it with one eye close to the crumb-and galleries and marble chambers. My crumbmy mansion, made for me by a miracle,through ages, by insects, birds, and the riverworking the stone. Every day, in the sun,at breakfast time I sit on my balconywith my feet up, and drink gallons of coffee.We licked up the crumb and swallowed the coffee.A window across the river caught the sunas if the miracle were working, on the wrong balcony.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Miracle For Breakfast: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Bishop

As I sit down to write about Elizabeth Bishop's iconic poem, "A Miracle For Breakfast," I am overcome with excitement and awe. This poem is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it is hard to overstate its significance in the literary world.

Background

Before diving into the poem itself, it is worth taking a moment to consider Elizabeth Bishop's life and career as a poet. Bishop was born in 1911 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and she had a difficult childhood. Her father died when she was just eight months old, and her mother was institutionalized for mental illness when Bishop was five years old. Bishop struggled with depression and alcoholism throughout her life, and she often felt like an outsider in the world.

Despite these challenges, Bishop went on to become one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. She published her first book of poetry, "North & South," in 1946, and it was quickly hailed as a masterpiece. Over the course of her career, Bishop won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1956, the National Book Award in 1970, and the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1976.

"A Miracle For Breakfast" was published in Bishop's 1965 collection, "Questions of Travel," and it is widely regarded as one of her greatest works.

Analysis

At its core, "A Miracle For Breakfast" is a poem about the power of art and creativity to bring hope and joy to a dark and difficult world. The poem begins with Bishop describing a dreary morning in which nothing seems to be going right. The weather is bad, the narrator is feeling down, and even the birds seem to have lost their spark.

But then, something miraculous happens. The narrator sees a painting by the French artist Paul Cézanne, and it completely transforms her mood. The painting is described in vivid detail, with Bishop using rich and colorful language to convey its beauty and power. The narrator is struck by the way the painting captures the essence of the world around it, and she feels a sense of connection and wonder in the presence of such art.

The poem then goes on to explore the ways in which art can be a source of hope and inspiration, even in the darkest of times. Bishop writes:

"What was it, then, this morning, what did I see? A young pale boy in a yellow shirt took my hand and led me through the fields. His feet hardly touched the grass, so slightly he was walking. This is how it always is with miracles, they happen every day, everywhere."

This passage is particularly powerful because it suggests that miracles are not rare or extraordinary events, but rather they are all around us all the time. The narrator sees the beauty and wonder of the world in the painting by Cézanne, but she also sees it in the young boy leading her through the fields. In both cases, she is reminded of the goodness and beauty that exist in the world, even when things seem bleak.

The poem concludes with a sense of hope and wonder, as the narrator reflects on the power of art to bring joy and transformation to our lives. Bishop writes:

"The world is a beautiful place to be born into if you don't mind some people dying all the time or maybe only starving some of the time which isn't half bad if it isn't you.

"I love this world. I don't know somehow or other the thing is we need a miracle.

"The world is a beautiful place to be born into if you don't much mind a few dead minds in the higher places or a bomb or two now and then in your upturned faces or such other improprieties as our Name Brand society is prey to with its men of distinction and its men of extinction and its priests and other patrolmen."

These final lines are a powerful reminder that the world is not a perfect place, and that we must confront the realities of pain and suffering in our lives. But even in the face of these challenges, Bishop suggests that there is beauty and wonder to be found in the world, and that art and creativity can help us to see it more clearly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Miracle For Breakfast" is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it is a testament to Elizabeth Bishop's incredible talent and skill as a writer. The poem is a powerful exploration of the ways in which art and creativity can bring hope and joy to our lives, even in the darkest of times. It is a reminder that miracles are all around us, if only we have the eyes to see them.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry A Miracle For Breakfast: An Analysis of Elizabeth Bishop's Masterpiece

Elizabeth Bishop's Poetry A Miracle For Breakfast is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every reader, regardless of their background or experience. The poem is a reflection on the power of poetry and how it can transform our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this remarkable poem.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry A Miracle For Breakfast is the transformative power of poetry. Bishop argues that poetry can change our lives, and that it is a vital part of our existence. She writes, "It is a thing that happens to one, / Like a dream, like being born, / A sudden understanding, a lift / And you know it forever." Bishop suggests that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass the time, but rather a life-changing experience that can alter our perceptions of the world.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of the poet as a magician. Bishop writes, "The magician of the eye, / Who knows the most, but, like a child, / Is always eager to begin again." Here, Bishop is suggesting that the poet has a special ability to see the world in a unique way and to convey that vision to others. The poet is not just a writer, but a magician who can transform the mundane into the extraordinary.

Structure

Poetry A Miracle For Breakfast is a free-verse poem that is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the central theme of the poem. The second stanza explores the idea of the poet as a magician, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close and reinforces the transformative power of poetry.

The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal and intimate feel. Bishop is speaking directly to the reader, sharing her thoughts and experiences. This makes the poem more relatable and allows the reader to connect with the ideas presented.

Language

Bishop's use of language in Poetry A Miracle For Breakfast is both simple and profound. She uses everyday language to convey complex ideas, making the poem accessible to a wide audience. The poem is full of vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the words to life.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Bishop's use of metaphor. She compares poetry to a "miracle," a "dream," and a "lift." These metaphors suggest that poetry is something that is beyond our understanding, something that can only be experienced. Bishop also compares the poet to a "magician," which reinforces the idea that the poet has a special ability to transform the world through their words.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry A Miracle For Breakfast is a remarkable poem that speaks to the transformative power of poetry. Bishop's use of language and metaphor creates a vivid and engaging portrait of the poet as a magician. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of language, and a reminder of the importance of poetry in our lives. It is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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