'April 24' by David Lehman

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Did you know that Evian spelled backwards is naive?
I myself was unaware of this fact until last Tuesday night
when John Ashbery, Marc Cohen, and Eugene Richie
gave a poetry reading and I introduced them
to an audience that already knew them,
and there were bottles of Evian at the table.
As air to the lungs of a drowning man was
a glass of this water to my dry lips. I recommend it
to you, a lover of palindromes, who will also
be glad to learn that JA read us three "chapters"
of his new poem, "Girls on the Run," a twelve-
part saga inspired by girls' adventure stories, with
characters named Dimples and Tidbit plus Talkative andHopeful on loan from "Pilgrim's Progress."
As Frank O'Hara would have said, "it's the nuts."The poets' books were on sale and afterwards
two of the poets signed theirs happily and the third
did so willingly and Joe took photos and I smiled
for the camera, shaking hands with people
I knew or didn't know and thinking how
blessed was the state of naivete
my naive belief in the glory of the word

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Irony in David Lehman's "April 24"

David Lehman's "April 24" is a poem that epitomizes the essence of irony, a literary device that is often used by writers to create contrast and add depth to their work. This poem is a perfect example of how irony can be used to evoke strong emotions and make a profound statement about the human condition.

At first glance, "April 24" seems like a simple poem about the beauty of spring. The speaker describes the scene outside his window, where "the trees are in bloom" and "the buds are opening." He marvels at the "dappled sunlight" that filters through the leaves and illuminates the world around him. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world renewed and reborn after a long winter.

But as the poem progresses, the tone shifts from one of wonder and awe to one of wistfulness and melancholy. The speaker begins to lament the fleeting nature of spring, noting that "time passes so quickly" and that "this moment will soon be gone." He realizes that the beauty he is witnessing is temporary, that it will soon be replaced by the heat and humidity of summer, and eventually the cold and darkness of winter.

This is where the irony comes into play. The very thing that makes spring so beautiful and appealing – its transience – is also the thing that makes it so bittersweet. The speaker is acutely aware of this paradox, and it fills him with a sense of longing and nostalgia. He knows that he can never truly hold onto the moment he is experiencing, that it will slip through his fingers like water.

The use of irony in "April 24" is masterful. It allows Lehman to explore complex themes like the passage of time, the impermanence of beauty, and the human desire for permanence and immortality. By juxtaposing the beauty of spring with the sadness of its passing, he creates a powerful emotional effect that resonates with readers on a deep level.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is its use of language. Lehman's writing is simple and direct, yet rich with meaning and nuance. He employs vivid imagery, like the "dappled sunlight" and the "buds opening," to create a sensory experience for the reader. At the same time, his use of repetition ("time passes," "this moment will soon be gone") and parallel structure ("the trees are in bloom," "the buds are opening") give the poem a sense of structure and momentum.

Overall, "April 24" is a masterful work of poetry that uses irony to great effect. Its exploration of themes like the passage of time and the impermanence of beauty is both poignant and thought-provoking, and its use of language is both evocative and precise. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply a lover of fine writing, this is a poem that deserves your attention.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it continues to captivate and inspire people to this day. One of the most celebrated poets of our time is David Lehman, and his poem "April 24" is a masterpiece that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated.

"April 24" is a poem that captures the essence of spring, a season that is often associated with new beginnings and fresh starts. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of spring and its impact on the world around us.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, as Lehman describes the beauty of spring and the way it transforms the world around us. He writes, "The sky is blue, the sun is bright, / The grass is green, the trees are white." These simple yet powerful lines paint a vivid picture of a world that is bursting with life and energy, and they set the stage for the rest of the poem.

In the second stanza, Lehman shifts his focus to the impact that spring has on human beings. He writes, "We feel the warmth, we breathe the air, / We shed our coats, we let down our hair." These lines capture the sense of liberation and freedom that comes with the arrival of spring, as people shed their winter clothes and embrace the warmth and light of the new season.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Lehman reflects on the fleeting nature of spring and the way it reminds us of our own mortality. He writes, "But soon enough the leaves will fall, / The snow will come, the winds will call." These lines serve as a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and that even the most beautiful and vibrant things in life are subject to change and decay.

Overall, "April 24" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and vitality of spring, while also acknowledging the transience of life and the inevitability of change. Lehman's use of simple yet evocative language, combined with his keen sense of observation and reflection, make this poem a true masterpiece of the genre.

One of the most striking aspects of "April 24" is the way in which Lehman uses imagery to bring the world of spring to life. From the blue sky to the green grass to the white trees, every detail is carefully chosen to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. This attention to detail is what sets great poetry apart from the rest, and it is a testament to Lehman's skill as a writer.

Another notable feature of "April 24" is the way in which Lehman uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The repeated use of phrases like "the sky is blue" and "we shed our coats" serves to reinforce the central themes of the poem, while also giving it a musical quality that is both pleasing to the ear and emotionally resonant.

Finally, it is worth noting the way in which Lehman uses the natural world as a metaphor for the human experience. By drawing parallels between the changing seasons and the cycles of life and death, he is able to create a sense of universality that transcends time and place. This is the hallmark of great poetry, and it is what makes "April 24" such a powerful and enduring work of art.

In conclusion, "April 24" is a poem that deserves to be celebrated and studied for generations to come. Its evocative imagery, rhythmic language, and universal themes make it a true masterpiece of the genre, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the genre, this is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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