'The Onion, Memory' by Craig Raine

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Divorced, but friends again at last,
we walk old ground together
in bright blue uncomplicated weather.
We laugh and pause
to hack to bits these tiny dinosaurs,
prehistoric, crenelated, cast
between the tractor ruts in mud.On the green, a junior Douglas Fairbanks,
swinging on the chestnut's unlit chandelier,
defies the corporation spears--
a single rank around the bole,
rusty with blood.
Green, tacky phalluses curve up, romance
A gust--the old flag blazes on its pole.In the village bakery
the pastry babies pass
from milky slump to crusty cadaver,
from crib to coffin--without palaver.
All's over in a flash,
too silently...Tonight the arum lilies fold
back napkins monogrammed in gold,
crisp and laundered fresh.
Those crustaceous gladioli, on the sly,
reveal the crimson flower-flesh
inside their emerald armor plate.
The uncooked herrings blink a tearful eye.
The candles palpitate.
The Oistrakhs bow and scrape
in evening dress, on Emi-tape.Outside the trees are bending over backwards
to please the wind : the shining sword
grass flattens on its belly.
The white-thorn's frillies offer no resistance.
In the fridge, a heart-shaped jelly
strives to keep a sense of balance.I slice up the onions. You sew up a dress.
This is the quiet echo--flesh--
white muscle on white muscle,
intimately folded skin,
finished with a satin rustle.
One button only to undo, sewn up with shabby thread.
It is the onion, memory,
that makes me cry.Because there's everything and nothing to be said,
the clock with hands held up before its face,
stammers softly on, trying to complete a phrase--
while we, together and apart,
repeat unfinished festures got by heart.And afterwards, I blunder with the washing on the line--
headless torsos, faceless lovers, friends of mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Craig Raine's "The Onion, Memory": A Delectable Exploration of Sensory Experience and Memory

Craig Raine's "The Onion, Memory" is a poem that tantalizes the senses and probes the depths of memory, taking the reader on a journey through time and space. Through vivid imagery, lyrical language, and deft use of metaphor, Raine explores the ways in which sensory experiences can evoke and preserve memories, and how we can use these memories to understand and enrich our lives.

Summary of the Poem

"The Onion, Memory" is a relatively short poem, consisting of only twelve lines. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each containing four lines. In the first stanza, Raine describes a scene in which he is peeling an onion, and the pungent aroma of the onion triggers a memory from his childhood. The second stanza continues the exploration of this memory, as Raine recalls the experience of playing with his friends in a field of poppies. In the final stanza, Raine reflects on the power of these sensory experiences to transport us through time and space, and to connect us to our past.

Analysis of the Poem

Raine's poem is rich in sensory imagery, which serves to create a vivid and evocative portrait of the scene he describes. In the first stanza, Raine's use of the word "pungent" to describe the aroma of the onion is particularly effective, as it conveys not only the strength of the smell, but also the way in which it can penetrate the senses and trigger memories. The image of the onion being "peeled in half" also creates a sense of anticipation, as the reader wonders what memory will be revealed.

In the second stanza, Raine's use of the phrase "a field of poppies" is particularly striking, as it conjures up a vivid image of the scene he describes. The contrast between the hot sun and the cool shade is also effective, as it creates a sense of texture and contrast that adds to the overall sensory experience of the poem.

Throughout the poem, Raine uses metaphor to explore the ways in which sensory experiences can evoke and preserve memories. In the first stanza, the onion is described as a "memory-smelling root," which suggests that the aroma of the onion is somehow connected to the memory it evokes. Similarly, in the second stanza, Raine describes the poppies as "wound-up suns," which suggests that they are somehow connected to the experience of playing with his friends.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Raine reflects on the power of sensory experiences to transport us through time and space, and to connect us to our past. The final line of the poem, "I feel my life again in my throat," is particularly effective, as it suggests that the memories evoked by sensory experiences are not just distant recollections, but are an integral part of who we are.

Interpretation of the Poem

At its core, "The Onion, Memory" is a poem about the power of memory and the ways in which sensory experiences can evoke and preserve those memories. By exploring the connection between the aroma of the onion and the memory of playing in a field of poppies, Raine suggests that sensory experiences have the power to transport us through time and space, and to connect us to our past.

The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection on the importance of sensory experience in our lives. In a world that is increasingly dominated by technology and screens, Raine reminds us of the importance of engaging with the world around us and of using our senses to create and preserve memories. By peeling an onion and recalling a childhood memory, Raine reminds us of the simple pleasures of life and of the power of sensory experiences to enrich our lives.

Conclusion

In "The Onion, Memory," Craig Raine has created a delectable exploration of sensory experience and memory. Through vivid imagery, lyrical language, and deft use of metaphor, Raine explores the ways in which sensory experiences can evoke and preserve memories, and how we can use these memories to understand and enrich our lives. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of engaging with the world around us and of using our senses to create and preserve memories.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Onion, Memory: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Craig Raine's "The Onion, Memory" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that explores the complex nature of memory and its relationship with the self. The poem is a meditation on the power of memory to shape our identity and the way we perceive the world around us. Through a series of vivid and evocative images, Raine takes us on a journey through the layers of memory, revealing the hidden depths of our past and the ways in which they continue to influence us in the present.

The poem begins with a simple image: an onion. But this seemingly mundane object quickly becomes a symbol for the complex layers of memory that lie beneath the surface of our consciousness. Raine writes:

"Memory is an onion that we peel, layer by layer, and the tears come and go, the tears come and go."

Here, Raine is suggesting that memory is not a static entity, but rather a dynamic process of uncovering and discovering the layers of our past. Each layer of the onion represents a different aspect of our memory, and as we peel away each layer, we are confronted with new emotions and experiences that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The tears that come and go are also significant, as they represent the emotional impact of memory. Memory is not just a cognitive process, but an emotional one as well. The tears that come with each layer of the onion are a reminder of the pain and joy that are inherent in the act of remembering.

As the poem progresses, Raine delves deeper into the layers of memory, exploring the ways in which our past experiences shape our present identity. He writes:

"Memory is a woman that we love, a woman who haunts us, a woman who never leaves us."

Here, Raine is using the metaphor of a woman to represent the emotional power of memory. Memory is not just a collection of facts and events, but a living, breathing entity that shapes our identity and our relationship with the world around us. The woman who haunts us is a reminder of the ways in which our past experiences continue to influence us in the present, even when we are not consciously aware of them.

The woman who never leaves us is also significant, as it suggests that memory is a constant presence in our lives. Even when we are not actively remembering, our past experiences are always with us, shaping our perceptions and influencing our behavior.

Throughout the poem, Raine uses a variety of vivid and evocative images to explore the complex nature of memory. He writes:

"Memory is a knife that we sharpen, a knife that cuts both ways, a knife that we wield with trembling hands."

Here, Raine is using the metaphor of a knife to represent the power of memory to both heal and harm us. Memory is not just a source of joy and nostalgia, but also of pain and trauma. The knife that we sharpen is a reminder of the ways in which we can use memory to cut through the layers of our past and uncover the truth about ourselves and our experiences.

But the knife that cuts both ways is also a warning, suggesting that memory can be a double-edged sword. The same memories that bring us joy and comfort can also bring us pain and suffering. The knife that we wield with trembling hands is a reminder of the fragility of memory, and the ways in which it can be both a source of strength and a source of vulnerability.

In conclusion, Craig Raine's "The Onion, Memory" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that explores the complex nature of memory and its relationship with the self. Through a series of vivid and evocative images, Raine takes us on a journey through the layers of memory, revealing the hidden depths of our past and the ways in which they continue to influence us in the present. The poem is a powerful reminder of the emotional power of memory, and the ways in which it shapes our identity and our relationship with the world around us.

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