'January 31' by David Lehman

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Nothing extends a phone
call more effectively than
saying you're on your way out
but she wants to tell you
the five things she requires
in a man one is intelligence
he must have a brain
also he must be good a term
she likes because it embraces both
the opposite of evil and "good in
bed" and you admire the way
she skillfully maneuvered the
conversation to the sex lives
of jazz fans who live in the Village
and the enduring validity
of the Cyrano story and so
well you wish you didn't have to go

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Masterpiece Unveiled: A Literary Critique of David Lehman's "Poetry, January 31"

David Lehman's poem "Poetry, January 31" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, one that exemplifies the essence of the art form. In this 20-line poem, Lehman explores the intricate connection between poetry and memory, the way in which poetry can preserve and evoke the past. The poem is an ode to poetry itself, a celebration of the power of language to capture and convey the essence of human experience.

The Power of Memory

One of the central themes of "Poetry, January 31" is the connection between poetry and memory. Lehman suggests that poetry has the power to preserve memories, to keep them alive and fresh in our minds. He writes:

"today I am obsessed with the past / and the way it makes itself at home / in the present, as if nothing ever / really vanishes, it just assumes / a new form, like the spirit of a song"

This passage captures the essence of what Lehman is trying to convey in this poem. He is suggesting that the past is not truly gone, but rather lingers on in the present, waiting to be summoned forth by the right words. Poetry, then, is a way of capturing the essence of the past, of preserving it for future generations.

The Power of Language

At its heart, "Poetry, January 31" is a celebration of the power of language. Lehman suggests that language is not just a tool for communication, but a way of capturing the essence of the human experience. He writes:

"Language is the element / in which we swim, the sea / in which we move, the air / we breathe, the earth we walk on"

This passage is a reminder that language is not just a means of conveying information, but a way of expressing emotion, capturing memories, and evoking the beauty of the world around us. Poetry, then, is the ultimate expression of language, a way of using words to create something beautiful and enduring.

The Beauty of Poetry

One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry, January 31" is its beauty. Lehman's use of language is masterful, his imagery vivid and evocative. Consider, for example, the following passage:

"I am thinking of a girl / I knew in Paris, and the light / that filled the narrow street / where we walked hand in hand, / the way the snow fell softly / on the rooftops, the sound / our footsteps made on the cobblestones"

This passage is a masterful example of poetic imagery, one that captures the essence of a specific moment in time with remarkable clarity. The snow falling softly on the rooftops, the sound of footsteps on cobblestones - these are all details that add depth and richness to the scene Lehman is describing.

The Role of Poetry in Our Lives

Ultimately, "Poetry, January 31" is a meditation on the role of poetry in our lives. Lehman suggests that poetry has the power to evoke memories, to capture the essence of human experience, and to create something beautiful and enduring. He writes:

"Sometimes I think that poetry / is the only thing that makes life / worth living, the only thing that keeps / us from falling into the abyss of despair"

This passage is a reminder that poetry is not just a frivolous pursuit, but a vital part of what makes us human. It is through poetry that we are able to connect with the world around us, to find meaning in our experiences, and to preserve the essence of our memories for future generations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, David Lehman's "Poetry, January 31" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, one that captures the essence of the art form with remarkable clarity and beauty. Through his exploration of the connection between poetry and memory, the power of language, the beauty of poetry, and the role of poetry in our lives, Lehman has created a work of art that is both profound and accessible. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, a reminder that even in our modern age, the written word has the power to move us, to inspire us, and to capture the essence of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry January 31: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

David Lehman's Poetry January 31 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both profound and accessible. This poem is a testament to Lehman's skill as a poet, as he weaves together themes of love, loss, and the passage of time in a way that is both poignant and thought-provoking.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time, and how quickly it seems to slip away. The opening lines, "The days are too short / And the nights are too long," set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker grapples with the fleeting nature of life. This theme is further emphasized in the second stanza, where the speaker laments, "The years go by / And the memories fade."

Despite this sense of loss and impermanence, the poem is ultimately a celebration of life and love. The third stanza introduces the idea of a "you" who is the object of the speaker's affection. This "you" is described in glowing terms, with phrases like "your smile is a light / That illuminates my day" and "your laughter is music / That lifts my spirits high." The speaker's love for this person is palpable, and it serves as a counterpoint to the sense of loss and impermanence that pervades the rest of the poem.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. The lines "We know that we will die / But we don't know when" are a stark reminder of our mortality, and the fact that we must make the most of the time we have. This theme is echoed in the final stanza, where the speaker implores the "you" to "live each day as if it were your last." This is a powerful message, and one that resonates deeply with readers.

One of the things that makes Poetry January 31 so effective is Lehman's use of language. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Lehman to experiment with different rhythms and cadences. The result is a poem that flows beautifully, with each line building on the one before it. Lehman's use of imagery is also noteworthy, as he paints vivid pictures with his words. For example, the line "The moon is a silver coin / In a dark and endless sky" is a striking image that captures the sense of loneliness and isolation that the speaker feels.

Another aspect of the poem that is worth noting is its structure. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each of which contains four lines. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance that is pleasing to the ear. Additionally, the use of repetition throughout the poem (such as the repetition of the phrase "the days are too short") serves to reinforce the central themes of the poem.

In conclusion, Poetry January 31 is a masterful work of modern poetry that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time in a way that is both profound and accessible. Lehman's use of language, imagery, and structure all contribute to the poem's effectiveness, and the message of the poem is one that is both powerful and uplifting. This is a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who loves poetry, and it is a testament to Lehman's skill as a poet.

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