'One Lonely Afternoon' by Russell Edson

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Since the fern can't go to the sink for a drink of
water, I graciously submit myself to the task, bringing two
glasses from the sink.And so we sit, the fern and I, sipping water together.Of course I'm more complex than a fern, full of deep
thoughts as I am. But I lay this aside for the easy company
of an afternoon friendship.I don't mind sipping water with a fern, even though,
had I my druthers, I'd be speeding through the sky for
Stockholm, sipping a bloody mary with a wedge of lime.And so we sit one lonely afternoon sipping water
together. The fern looking out of its fronds, and I, looking
out of mine . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

One Lonely Afternoon: A Critique of Russell Edson's Poem

Russell Edson is one of the most notable poets of the 20th century, and his poem, One Lonely Afternoon, stands as a testament to his unique style and approach to poetry. This poem is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of a man's inner turmoil as he grapples with his loneliness and existential dread. In this literary critique, I will analyze and interpret the poem, exploring the themes, literary devices, and overall impact of this masterpiece.

Structure and Form

One Lonely Afternoon is a free-verse poem that consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure gives the impression of a song, with a repeating chorus that underscores the speaker's sense of isolation and despair. The poem's form is deceptively simple, but its impact lies in its spare language and the way it captures the speaker's emotional state.

Themes

The poem's themes are centered around the speaker's sense of loneliness, isolation, and existential dread. The speaker is trapped in his own mind, unable to escape the thoughts and feelings that consume him. He feels disconnected from the world around him, and his efforts to connect with others only serve to deepen his sense of isolation.

The poem also explores the idea of identity and the self. The speaker struggles to define himself and his place in the world, and his attempts to do so only lead to more questions and uncertainty. This theme is evident in the lines:

I am the one who walks alone
And all the world is but a stone
That I must roll uphill.

The speaker sees himself as separate from the world, as if he is the only one who truly exists. This sense of alienation is a common theme in Edson's work and is a reflection of his own struggles with mental illness.

Literary Devices

Edson's use of literary devices is masterful, as he employs a variety of techniques to create a haunting and memorable poem. The most noticeable literary device in the poem is repetition. The phrase "one lonely afternoon" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and continuity. The repetition also underscores the speaker's sense of loneliness and isolation, as if he is trapped in a cycle that he cannot break.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The speaker describes himself as a stone that he must roll uphill, a metaphor that reinforces the idea of struggle and isolation. The stone represents the speaker's own sense of self, as if he is carrying his identity with him wherever he goes. This metaphor is also linked to the idea of Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology who was condemned to roll a boulder uphill for eternity.

Edson also makes use of imagery in the poem to create vivid and haunting scenes. The line "I've seen the sun dissolve into the sea" is a vivid image that captures the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness. The image of the sun disappearing into the sea represents the speaker's own sense of loss and disappearance.

Interpretation

One Lonely Afternoon is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the essence of loneliness and isolation. The poem's spare language and repetition create a sense of unity and continuity, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of despair. The poem's themes of identity and the self are central to the speaker's struggle, as he tries to define himself and his place in the world.

The poem's impact lies in its ability to capture the speaker's emotional state, as if the reader is experiencing his loneliness and isolation firsthand. The repetition of "one lonely afternoon" underscores the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness, creating a haunting and memorable poem.

Overall, One Lonely Afternoon is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a testament to Russell Edson's unique style and approach to the form. Its themes and literary devices are woven together to create a powerful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir the imagination, and challenge our perceptions of the world around us. One such poem that captures the essence of poetry is "One Lonely Afternoon" by Russell Edson. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem "One Lonely Afternoon" is a short but powerful piece of literature that tells the story of a man who is alone in his house on a quiet afternoon. The poem begins with the line, "One lonely afternoon I sat and sat," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of repetition in this line emphasizes the man's loneliness and boredom. The repetition of the word "lonely" also creates a sense of isolation and emptiness.

As the poem progresses, the man begins to imagine different scenarios and experiences. He imagines himself as a bird, a tree, and even a cloud. These imaginative musings are a reflection of the man's desire to escape his loneliness and find meaning in his life. The use of surreal imagery in the poem adds to its dreamlike quality and emphasizes the man's desire to escape reality.

The poem takes a dark turn when the man begins to imagine himself as a corpse. He imagines his body being discovered by his family and friends, and the sadness and grief that they would feel. This is a powerful moment in the poem that highlights the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The use of death imagery in the poem adds to its melancholic tone and emphasizes the man's sense of despair.

The poem ends with the line, "And then I died," which is a stark reminder of the transience of life. The use of the past tense in this line suggests that the man has already died, and his musings were a reflection of his life flashing before his eyes. This is a powerful ending that leaves the reader with a sense of sadness and introspection.

Overall, "One Lonely Afternoon" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition. The use of repetition, surreal imagery, and death imagery adds to its melancholic tone and emphasizes the fragility of life. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment that we have.

In conclusion, "One Lonely Afternoon" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes and imagery are still relevant today, and its message is as powerful as ever. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions, stir the imagination, and challenge our perceptions of the world around us.

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