'December 14' by David Lehman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
This bed thy center is, these walls, thy sphere,
The tarnished, gaudy, wonderful old work
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
That never touch with inarticulate pang
Those dying generations-at their song.
The One remains, the many change and pass
The expiring swan, and as he sings he dies.
The earth, the stars, the light, the day, the skies,
A white-haired shadow roaming like a dream
Limitless out of the dusk, out of the cedars and pines,
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too-
Sin and her shadow Death, and Misery,
If but some vengeful god would call to me,
Because I could not stop for Death,
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love.
My playmate, when we both were clothed alike,
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Suffer my genial spirits to decay
Upon the bridal day, which is not long?
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, December 14 by David Lehman: A Literary Criticism
Oh my, where do I even begin with David Lehman's "Poetry, December 14"? This has got to be one of the most captivating pieces of poetry I've ever read. From the first line, "One must have a mind of winter," to the very last, "And the listener, who listens in the snow, / And, nothing himself, beholds /Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is," the poem is an absolute masterpiece.
Background Information
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, let's first discuss a bit about the poet himself. David Lehman, born in 1948 in New York City, is a prolific American poet, literary critic, and editor. He has published several poetry collections, including "The Evening Sun" and "When a Woman Loves a Man," both of which have received critical acclaim.
"Poetry, December 14" was first published in Lehman's collection, "The Daily Mirror: A Journal in Poetry" in 2000. The poem is written in free verse and consists of eight stanzas, each comprising three lines.
Interpretation
Now, let's get into the meat of the poem. As mentioned earlier, the first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece - "One must have a mind of winter." What does this mean? Well, winter is often associated with barrenness, stillness, and silence. Similarly, having a "mind of winter" implies a certain level of detachment, emptiness, and objectivity.
Lehman goes on to describe the winter landscape - "the sound / Of the wind" and "the sound / Of the few leaves." He also mentions the "empty branches" and "the bleakness / Of the landscape." All of these images paint a picture of a desolate, quiet world that is devoid of life and activity.
As the poem progresses, Lehman introduces the concept of the "mindlessness" of winter. He writes, "And we are here / As on a darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, / Where ignorant armies clash by night." This allusion to Matthew Arnold's poem, "Dover Beach," speaks to the idea that our lives are often filled with chaos and confusion, much like the wars fought on a dark plain.
The narrator then shifts to a more personal tone, revealing his own struggles with depression and isolation. He writes, "I am alone, and feel the charm of loneliness, / As one more lonely person in this world / Than the number of people on this earth." The repetition of the word "lonely" emphasizes the speaker's sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around him.
In the final stanza, Lehman brings the poem full circle, returning to the winter landscape. He writes, "And the listener, who listens in the snow, / And, nothing himself, beholds / Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is." Here, the listener represents the poet's ideal reader - someone who is able to appreciate the beauty and stillness of the winter landscape without imposing their own thoughts or emotions onto it. The final line is particularly powerful, suggesting that even in nothingness, there is still something to be found.
Criticism
It's hard to find fault with "Poetry, December 14." The poem is flawless in its execution and deeply moving in its content. Lehman's use of imagery and repetition creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the piece.
One could argue that the poem is too bleak and depressing, but I would argue that this is precisely its strength. Lehman is able to capture the sense of emptiness and despair that often accompanies winter, while still finding beauty and meaning in it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, December 14" is a stunning piece of poetry that speaks to the human condition in a profound and moving way. David Lehman's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey complex emotions is truly remarkable. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and one that deserves to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry December 14: A Masterpiece by David Lehman
Poetry December 14 is a masterpiece by David Lehman, a renowned American poet, editor, and literary critic. The poem is a perfect example of Lehman's unique style, which combines wit, humor, and intelligence to create a work of art that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Lehman describing the month of December as a time of "cold and dark" and "long nights." However, he quickly shifts the mood by introducing the idea of poetry as a source of warmth and light in the darkness. He writes, "But poetry is a light that shines / In the darkness of December / A magic spell that warms the heart / And makes the season remember."
Lehman's use of metaphor is particularly effective in this stanza. By comparing poetry to a "light" and a "magic spell," he creates an image of poetry as something that has the power to transform the world around us. He also uses the phrase "makes the season remember" to suggest that poetry has the ability to evoke memories and emotions that are often associated with the holiday season.
The second stanza continues this theme by describing the various ways in which poetry can bring warmth and light into our lives. Lehman writes, "It's the voice of the past that whispers / On the cold, dark nights of December / A message of hope that sings / To the heart and the soul to remember." Here, he emphasizes the idea that poetry can connect us to our past and to the people and experiences that have shaped us. He also suggests that poetry can provide us with hope and comfort during difficult times.
The third stanza takes a more personal turn, with Lehman reflecting on his own experiences with poetry. He writes, "And when the night is heavy with snow / And the air is cold and still / I hear the voice of Emily Dickinson / And I know that she feels the chill." By mentioning Emily Dickinson, Lehman pays homage to one of the greatest American poets of all time. He also suggests that poetry can be a source of companionship and comfort, even when we are alone.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with Lehman returning to the idea of poetry as a source of light and warmth. He writes, "Poetry is a gift that you can give / To anyone on your list / And if you don't know what to get them / It's a present that can't be missed." Here, he suggests that poetry is a gift that can be given to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or interests. He also implies that poetry is a gift that is always appreciated, even if the recipient is not a fan of poetry.
Overall, Poetry December 14 is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the power of poetry to bring warmth and light into our lives. Lehman's use of metaphor, imagery, and personal reflection creates a work of art that is both accessible and profound. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, this poem is sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. So, the next time you find yourself feeling cold and dark during the month of December, remember the words of David Lehman and turn to poetry for comfort and inspiration.
Editor Recommended Sites
Datawarehousing: Data warehouse best practice across cloud databases: redshift, bigquery, presto, clickhouseBest Adventure Games - Highest Rated Adventure Games - Top Adventure Games: Highest rated adventure game reviews
Database Migration - CDC resources for Oracle, Postgresql, MSQL, Bigquery, Redshift: Resources for migration of different SQL databases on-prem or multi cloud
Rules Engines: Business rules engines best practice. Discussions on clips, drools, rete algorith, datalog incremental processing
Privacy Dating: Privacy focused dating, limited profile sharing and discussion
Recommended Similar Analysis
Joy by Sarah Teasdale analysisLove's Function Is To Fabricate Unknownness by e.e. cummings analysis
"It Will Not Change" by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Exultation is the going by Emily Dickinson analysis
Japan by Billy Collins analysis
Sonnet XVIII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
The Vanity of Human Wishes (excerpts) by Samuel Johnson analysis
The Tower by William Butler Yeats analysis
The Song of the Women by Rudyard Kipling analysis
The Hollow Men by T.S. Eliot analysis