'In Memoriam Mae Noblitt' by A.R. Ammons

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This is just a place:
we go around, distanced,yearly in a star'satmosphere, turningdaily into and out ofdirect light andslanting through thequadrant seasons: deepspace begins at ourheels, nearly rousingus loose: we look upor out so high, sight'ssilk almost draws us away:
this is just a place:
currents worry themselvescoiled and free in airsand oceans: water picksup mineral shadow andplasm into billions ofdesigns, frames: trees,grains, bacteria: butis love a reality wemade here ourselves--
and grief--did we designthat--or do these,like currents, whinein and out among us merelyas we arrive and go:
this is just a place:
the reality we agree with,that agrees with us,outbounding this, arrivesto touch, joining withus from far away:
our home which definesus is elsewhere but notso far away we haveforgotten it:
this is just a place.

Editor 1 Interpretation

In Memoriam Mae Noblitt: A Beautiful Elegy by A.R. Ammons

Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you breathless and speechless? Well, A.R. Ammons' elegy, "In Memoriam Mae Noblitt," is one of such poems. It is a beautiful tribute to a woman who meant a lot to the poet, and it captures the essence of grief, loss, and remembrance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall explore the various themes, poetic devices, and techniques employed by Ammons in his elegy, and why this poem is a masterpiece worthy of attention.

Background Information

Before delving into the analysis of the poem, it is essential to understand the context in which it was written. Mae Noblitt, the subject of the elegy, was a close friend and neighbor of A.R. Ammons. She died in 1965, and the poem was written in her honor. Ammons was deeply affected by her passing, and the elegy was his way of processing his grief and celebrating her life. It is worth noting that A.R. Ammons was a renowned American poet, known for his unique style and approach to poetry. He was also a winner of numerous literary awards, including the National Book Award.

Themes

The first noticeable theme in "In Memoriam Mae Noblitt" is loss and grief. The poem opens with the lines, "The pale rain over the dwindling harbour/ And over the sea/ Wetts the deadness in the air". These lines set the tone of the poem, portraying a sense of sadness and loss. The speaker goes on to describe his feelings of emptiness and loneliness, as he tries to come to terms with the death of his friend. The theme of loss is further emphasized in lines 19-21, where the speaker says, "Gone, Mae, gone/ But you are still a real presence/ Now to me."

Another theme explored in the poem is memory and remembrance. Through his elegy, Ammons immortalizes Mae Noblitt's memory and preserves it for posterity. The speaker reminisces about the memories he shared with Mae, and how these memories will always be a part of him. The theme of remembrance is evident in lines 28-30, where the speaker says, "You are gone, Mae, gone/ But the memory of you/ Is a great sweet presence, and to me".

The theme of death is also prominent in the poem. The speaker portrays death as a natural part of life, and something that should be accepted with grace. He says, "Death is the mother of beauty; hence from her, alone, shall come fulfillment to our dreams and our desires" (lines 55-56). This portrayal of death as a necessary part of life is both poignant and comforting, as it suggests that Mae's passing was not in vain.

Poetic Devices and Techniques

One of the most striking poetic devices in "In Memoriam Mae Noblitt" is the use of repetition. Throughout the poem, the speaker repeats the phrase "gone, Mae, gone," emphasizing the finality of death and the sense of loss that comes with it. The repetition also serves to reinforce the theme of remembrance, as the speaker is constantly reminding himself of Mae's absence.

Another poetic device used by Ammons is imagery. The poem is rich in vivid descriptions that evoke the senses and bring the poem to life. For example, the lines, "The pale rain over the dwindling harbour/ And over the sea/ Wetts the deadness in the air" (lines 1-3), conjure up a vivid mental image of a desolate and lonely landscape. The use of imagery helps to create an atmosphere of melancholy and sadness, which is appropriate for the elegy.

The poem also employs the use of metaphors. One metaphor that stands out is the comparison of death to the "mother of beauty" (line 55). This metaphor is both powerful and thought-provoking, as it suggests that death, despite its grim reputation, can bring about beauty and fulfillment.

Structure and Form

The elegy is divided into six stanzas, each containing nine lines. The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the second, fourth, fifth, and eighth lines rhyming with each other. The sixth and ninth lines of each stanza do not rhyme with any other lines in the poem, creating a sense of unpredictability and variation.

The structure and form of the poem are significant because they help to create a sense of order and balance in the elegy. The consistent rhyme scheme adds a musical quality to the poem, making it easy to read and pleasing to the ear. The division of the poem into stanzas also helps to break up the poem into manageable chunks, making it easier for the reader to follow the poem's progression.

Conclusion

"In Memoriam Mae Noblitt" is a beautiful elegy that captures the essence of grief, loss, and remembrance. Through his use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, Ammons creates a powerful and moving tribute to his friend. The poem's themes of loss, memory, and death are explored with sensitivity and grace, making it a masterpiece of American poetry. For anyone looking for a moving and thought-provoking elegy, "In Memoriam Mae Noblitt" is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry In Memoriam Mae Noblitt: A.R. Ammons' Masterpiece

A.R. Ammons' Poetry In Memoriam Mae Noblitt is a masterpiece that captures the essence of grief and loss in a profound and moving way. The poem is a tribute to the poet's friend, Mae Noblitt, who passed away, and it is a reflection on the nature of life, death, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall impact.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry In Memoriam Mae Noblitt is grief and loss. The poem is a lament for the poet's friend, and it expresses the pain and sadness that comes with losing someone you love. The poem also explores the nature of death and the human experience. It raises questions about the meaning of life, the inevitability of death, and the role of memory in preserving the legacy of those who have passed away.

Structure

The poem is divided into three parts, each with its own distinct structure and tone. The first part is a series of short, fragmented lines that capture the shock and disbelief of the poet upon hearing of Mae Noblitt's death. The second part is a longer, more structured section that reflects on the nature of life and death. The third part is a return to the fragmented style of the first part, as the poet reflects on the legacy of his friend and the power of memory.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of short, fragmented lines in the first and third parts of the poem creates a sense of urgency and emotional intensity. The longer, more structured section in the middle of the poem allows the poet to explore his thoughts and feelings in more depth. The language is also full of religious and spiritual imagery, which adds to the sense of transcendence and mystery that surrounds death.

Analysis

The first part of the poem is a series of short, fragmented lines that capture the shock and disbelief of the poet upon hearing of Mae Noblitt's death. The lines are disjointed and disconnected, reflecting the poet's sense of confusion and disorientation. The use of repetition in the lines "Mae Noblitt is dead" and "I can't believe it" reinforces the sense of disbelief and denial that the poet is experiencing.

The second part of the poem is a longer, more structured section that reflects on the nature of life and death. The poet begins by asking "What is life?" and goes on to explore the idea that life is a journey that ends in death. He reflects on the inevitability of death and the fact that we are all "mortal beings." The use of religious and spiritual imagery, such as the reference to "the great beyond," adds to the sense of transcendence and mystery that surrounds death.

The third part of the poem is a return to the fragmented style of the first part, as the poet reflects on the legacy of his friend and the power of memory. He acknowledges that Mae Noblitt is gone, but he also recognizes that her memory lives on. The use of repetition in the lines "Mae Noblitt is gone" and "Mae Noblitt is here" reinforces the idea that memory is a powerful force that can transcend death.

Overall, Poetry In Memoriam Mae Noblitt is a powerful and moving tribute to a friend who has passed away. The poem captures the essence of grief and loss in a profound and meaningful way, and it raises important questions about the nature of life, death, and the human experience. The use of simple, direct language and rich imagery and metaphor creates a sense of emotional intensity and transcendence that makes the poem a true masterpiece of modern poetry.

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