'Eleventh Hour' by David Lehman

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The bloom was off the economic recovery.
"I just want to know one thing," she said.
What was that one thing? He'll never know,
Because at just that moment he heard the sound
Of broken glass in the bathroom, and when he got there,
It was dark. His hand went to the wall
But the switch wasn't where it was supposed to be
Which felt like déjà vu. And then she was gone.
And now he knew how it felt to stand
On the local platform as the express whizzes by
With people chatting in a dialectOf English he couldn't understand, because his English
Was current as of 1968 and no one speaks that way except
In certain books. So the hours spent in vain
Were minutes blown up into comic-book balloons full
Of Keats's odes. "Goodbye, kid." Tears streamed down
The boy's face. It was a great feeling,
Like the feeling you get when you throw things away
After a funeral: clean and empty in the morning dark.
There was no time for locker-room oratory.
They knew they were facing a do-or-die situation,
With their backs to the wall, and no tomorrow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Analysis of David Lehman's "Eleventh Hour"

David Lehman's "Eleventh Hour" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of despair, hope, and redemption. The poem is a reflection on the nature of time, the inevitability of change, and the power of poetry to capture and transcend our fleeting moments.

Form and Structure

The poem is structured in three stanzas of equal length, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which gives the poem a musical quality that is both playful and haunting. The use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of rhythm that mirrors the ticking of a clock or the beating of a heart.

Themes and Motifs

At its core, "Eleventh Hour" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of time and the fragility of human life. The poem begins with a description of the "eleventh hour," a phrase that is often associated with the final moments before a major event or decision. The speaker reflects on the fact that time is running out, and that there is a sense of urgency to make the most of what little time remains.

The motif of time is reinforced throughout the poem, with references to clocks, watches, and the ticking of seconds. The speaker notes that "time is running out / like the sands in an hourglass," and that there is a sense of inevitability to the passage of time.

The theme of mortality is also present in the poem, with references to death and the afterlife. The speaker wonders whether there is a "heavenly host" waiting for us beyond this life, and whether our souls will be judged based on our actions on earth.

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is both melancholy and hopeful. The speaker is reflective and introspective, but there is also a sense of urgency and determination in their words. The mood of the poem is contemplative, with a sense of longing and nostalgia for the past, and a sense of hope for the future.

Imagery and Language

The language of the poem is simple and direct, but there are also moments of poetic beauty and complexity. The use of alliteration and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that mirrors the ticking of a clock or the beating of a heart.

The imagery in the poem is both vivid and haunting. The speaker describes the "slender wrists" of a woman who has died, and the "empty glass" that once held her wine. There are also references to the "icy chill" of death, and the "burning sun" of life.

Interpretation

At its core, "Eleventh Hour" is a poem about the human experience of time and mortality. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life, and the sense of urgency that comes with the realization that time is running out.

The poem can be read as a meditation on the power of poetry to capture and transcend our fleeting moments. The speaker notes that "poets can make / words dance like the stars," and that poetry has the power to give meaning and significance to our lives.

The poem can also be read as a reflection on the nature of change and transformation. The speaker notes that "everything changes / like the seasons and the tides," and that there is a sense of inevitability to the passage of time. However, the poem also suggests that there is hope for redemption and renewal, even in the face of death and despair.

Overall, "Eleventh Hour" is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the human experience of time, mortality, and the power of poetry to capture and transcend our fleeting moments. It is a testament to the enduring power of language and the human imagination, and a reminder that even in the face of death and despair, there is always hope for renewal and redemption.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it continues to captivate and inspire people to this day. One of the most celebrated poems of the modern era is David Lehman's "Eleventh Hour." This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it has been analyzed and studied by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will take a closer look at "Eleventh Hour" and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.

"Eleventh Hour" is a poem that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker reflecting on the fact that life is short and that we must make the most of the time we have. The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on their own mortality and the inevitability of death. The final stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to live life to the fullest and to make the most of every moment.

The poem begins with the line, "We are running out of time." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of urgency and reminding us that life is short. The speaker goes on to say, "The clock is ticking, the sands are slipping away," emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the fact that we cannot stop it from passing.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on their own mortality, saying, "I know that I am mortal, that my days are numbered." This line is a reminder that we are all mortal and that our time on this earth is limited. The speaker goes on to say, "I know that I will die, that my body will return to dust." This line is a stark reminder of the inevitability of death and the fact that we cannot escape it.

The final stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to make the most of every moment and to live life to the fullest. The speaker says, "So let us live each day as if it were our last, and make the most of every moment." This line is a reminder that life is precious and that we should not take it for granted. The speaker goes on to say, "Let us love and laugh and dance and sing, and make the most of every moment that we have." This line is a call to action, urging the reader to embrace life and to make the most of every moment.

The structure of "Eleventh Hour" is simple but effective. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, and it allows the speaker to explore the theme of mortality in a thoughtful and reflective way. The use of repetition, with the phrase "running out of time" repeated in the first and third stanzas, emphasizes the urgency of the poem and reinforces the theme of mortality.

The language used in "Eleventh Hour" is simple but powerful. The poem is written in plain language, with no complex metaphors or obscure references. This simplicity makes the poem accessible to a wide audience and allows the message to resonate with readers on a deep level. The use of imagery, with the metaphor of the clock ticking and the sands slipping away, reinforces the theme of mortality and emphasizes the fleeting nature of time.

In conclusion, "Eleventh Hour" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines, and it uses simple but powerful language to convey its message. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to make the most of every moment and to live life to the fullest. "Eleventh Hour" is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and resonate with readers to this day.

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