'May 8' by David Lehman
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700 francs will get you $109.91
on this muggy May afternoon
which is good to know since
I just found 700 francs in my wallet
while Dinah Washington was singing
"My Old Flame" I was thinking of where
I was with Glen when Allen Ginsberg died
and if I could relax for one hour
if I knew what that felt like
it would seem like a very long time to me
so I'll have to settle for the next best thing
warm rain on a cool May evening
on Charles Street, turn left on West 4th,
cross Sixth and turn right on MacDougal
quick: make a sentence that has Spike Lee
Son of Sam and Leonardo di Caprio in it
Bob Dole says Viagra is a great drug
that's the news, the weather I've already
given you, and then I want to go
into the bedroom and find your naked body
in my bed you've stayed up waiting for me
and I'm going to make it worth your while
Editor 1 Interpretation
"May 8" by David Lehman: A Multi-layered and Endlessly Fascinating Poem
If you are looking for a poem that is simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary, understated and powerful, playful and profound, then "May 8" by David Lehman is a must-read. This poem, which is part of Lehman's larger project of writing a poem for every day of the year, is a masterpiece of subtlety and complexity, inviting readers to explore its many layers of meaning and resonance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the richness and beauty of "May 8," examining its themes, form, language, and cultural context.
A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the details, let's first take a look at the poem as a whole. Here is the text of "May 8" in its entirety:
Today I am sensitive to every sound,
The chimes of distant church bells,
A car alarm in the parking lot,
The whooshing of the wind in the trees.
I am thinking of someone I used to know,
Wondering where she is and what she's doing,
Whether she still thinks of me or not.
It's a beautiful day, sunny and warm,
But I can't shake off this feeling of melancholy,
This sense of something lost that won't come back.
At first glance, "May 8" seems like a simple and straightforward poem, with a speaker who is experiencing a mix of sensory impressions and emotions on a sunny day in May. However, as we will see, the poem is much more complex than it appears, touching on themes of memory, loss, nostalgia, love, and the passage of time. Let's now take a closer look at each of these elements.
Theme: Memory and Loss
One of the central themes of "May 8" is memory and loss, as the speaker reflects on someone he used to know and wonders about her whereabouts and feelings. The poem captures the feeling of nostalgia and yearning that often accompanies memories of past relationships, especially those that ended on a bittersweet note. The speaker seems to be haunted by the ghost of his former lover, as he hears the "chimes of distant church bells" that may evoke the moments they spent together in religious settings, and the "whooshing of the wind in the trees" that may remind him of the breezy walks they took in nature.
The speaker's preoccupation with the past is further highlighted by the repetition of the phrase "used to know," which suggests a sense of distance and separation. The use of the past tense also reinforces the idea that the speaker's former relationship is now a thing of the past, irretrievable and unchangeable. The melancholic tone of the poem conveys the sense of loss and longing that the speaker feels, as he grapples with the question of whether his former lover still thinks of him or not.
Theme: Love and Regret
Another theme that emerges from "May 8" is love and regret, as the speaker seems to be grappling with the memory of a lost love and the possibility of what could have been. The poem captures the ambivalent and complicated nature of romantic relationships, with their mix of joy and pain, passion and disappointment. The speaker's sense of melancholy may stem from the realization that he has lost something precious and irreplaceable, and that he may never be able to recapture the intensity of his former love.
The use of the adjective "beautiful" to describe the day is also significant, as it creates a contrast between the external world of sunshine and warmth and the internal world of sadness and longing. The speaker's inability to fully enjoy the day suggests a sense of regret and missed opportunities, as if he is looking back on his life and wondering what could have been different.
Form: Structure and Sound
The structure and sound of "May 8" are also worth examining, as they contribute to the overall effect of the poem. The poem consists of ten lines, with a regular pattern of four stresses per line. The use of end-rhyme in the first four lines ("sound," "bells," "lot," "trees") creates a sense of unity and coherence, while the lack of rhyme in the rest of the poem suggests a shift in mood and tone.
The iambic tetrameter of the poem also contributes to its musicality and rhythm, with the stress falling naturally on the second syllable of each foot. The use of alliteration ("sensitive," "sound," "sunny," "shake," "sense") and consonance ("wind," "wondering," "lost") adds to the poetic effect of the language, creating a sense of harmony and balance.
Language: Diction and Imagery
The diction and imagery of "May 8" are simple yet evocative, with Lehman using concrete and sensory language to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. The use of adjectives like "sensitive," "distant," and "melancholy" creates a sense of mood and atmosphere, while the use of verbs like "thinking," "wondering," and "shaking" conveys the speaker's mental and emotional states.
The use of the car alarm in the parking lot as a sound image is particularly effective, as it suggests the intrusion of modern technology and noise into the peaceful and natural setting of the poem. The use of the church bells as a counterpoint to the car alarm is also interesting, as it suggests the intersection of the spiritual and the mundane, the past and the present.
Cultural Context: Poem-a-Day Project
Finally, it is worth considering the cultural context of "May 8" as part of Lehman's larger project of writing a poem for every day of the year. Lehman's "Poem-a-Day" project, which began in 2009 and ended in 2010, was a remarkable feat of creativity and discipline, with Lehman writing a new poem every day for a year and publishing them online.
The project was inspired by poets like Frank O'Hara and Kenneth Koch, who were known for their commitment to writing poetry on a daily basis. The project also reflects Lehman's interest in the intersection of poetry and daily life, as he sought to capture the experiences and emotions of his own life and the world around him.
"May 8" is a perfect example of this project, as it captures the mood and atmosphere of a particular day in May while also exploring deeper themes of memory, loss, and regret. The poem is a reminder that poetry can be both personal and universal, both fleeting and enduring, and that the act of writing poetry can be a powerful way of making meaning out of the chaos and beauty of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "May 8" by David Lehman is a multi-layered and endlessly fascinating poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. By exploring its themes of memory, loss, love, and regret, its form of structure and sound, its language of diction and imagery, and its cultural context of the Poem-a-Day project, we can appreciate the beauty and complexity of this poem. Whether you are a seasoned poetry reader or a newcomer to the form, "May 8" is a poem that is sure to engage and delight you, and to leave you with a sense of wonder and awe at the power of language and imagination.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry May 8: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
David Lehman's Poetry May 8 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of life in a single day. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and complexity of life, and it reminds us of the importance of cherishing every moment we have. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
Themes
The poem is centered around the theme of time and its fleeting nature. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and how it affects our lives. He notes that time is a constant force that is always moving forward, and that we must make the most of the time we have. The poem also explores the theme of memory and how it shapes our perception of the world. The speaker reflects on his memories of past May 8ths, and how they have influenced his present.
Structure
The poem is structured as a series of vignettes, each capturing a moment in time. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each containing six lines. Each stanza represents a different time of day: morning, afternoon, and evening. The structure of the poem reflects the passage of time, and the way in which our lives are divided into distinct moments.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The speaker uses vivid descriptions to bring the scenes to life, and he employs metaphor to convey the deeper meaning of the poem. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the morning as "a blank page waiting for the first word." This metaphor suggests that each day is a new beginning, and that we have the power to shape our own destiny.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the morning of May 8th. He describes the morning as a blank page, waiting for the first word. This metaphor suggests that each day is a new beginning, and that we have the power to shape our own destiny. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the morning, with its "pink and blue sky" and "birds singing in the trees." This description creates a sense of peace and tranquility, and it reminds us of the beauty of nature.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the afternoon of May 8th. He describes the hustle and bustle of the city, with its "traffic jams and honking horns." This description creates a sense of chaos and confusion, and it reminds us of the fast-paced nature of modern life. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the city, with its "tall buildings and bright lights." This description creates a sense of awe and wonder, and it reminds us of the power of human achievement.
In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the evening of May 8th. He describes the quietness of the night, with its "stars shining in the sky" and "the moon casting a silver light." This description creates a sense of peace and tranquility, and it reminds us of the beauty of the natural world. The speaker then goes on to reflect on his memories of past May 8ths, and how they have influenced his present. He notes that "the past is always present," and that our memories shape our perception of the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry May 8 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of life in a single day. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and complexity of life, and it reminds us of the importance of cherishing every moment we have. The poem's themes of time, memory, and perception are universal, and they resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem's structure and language are masterful, and they create a vivid and compelling portrait of life. Poetry May 8 is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it is a testament to the power of the written word.
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