'Postcards' by Margaret Atwood
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1978I'm thinking about you. What else can I say?
The palm trees on the reverse
are a delusion; so is the pink sand.
What we have are the usual
fractured coke bottles and the smell
of backed-up drains, too sweet,
like a mango on the verge
of rot, which we have also.
The air clear sweat, mosquitoes
& their tracks; birds & elusive.Time comes in waves here, a sickness, one
day after the other rolling on;
I move up, it's called
awake, then down into the uneasy
nights but never
forward. The roosters crow
for hours before dawn, and a prodded
child howls & howls
on the pocked road to school.
In the hold with the baggage
there are two prisoners,
their heads shaved by bayonets, & ten crates
of queasy chicks. Each spring
there's race of cripples, from the store
to the church. This is the sort of junk
I carry with me; and a clipping
about democracy from the local paper.Outside the window
they're building the damn hotel,
nail by nail, someone's
crumbling dream. A universe that includes you
can't be all bad, but
does it? At this distance
you're a mirage, a glossy image
fixed in the posture
of the last time I saw you.
Turn you over, there's the place
for the address. Wish you were
here. Love comes
in waves like the ocean, a sickness which goes on
& on, a hollow cave
in the head, filling & pounding, a kicked ear.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Postcards by Margaret Atwood: A Journey Through Time and Space
Margaret Atwood's Postcards is a collection of poems that explores the themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. The title itself is significant because postcards are a physical representation of a moment in time that can be sent and received, but they also symbolize the memories and emotions attached to that moment. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning behind Atwood's poems and analyze how she uses language, imagery, and structure to convey her message.
Analysis of Poems
"Postcards"
The opening poem of the collection, "Postcards," sets the tone for the rest of the poems. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each describing a different postcard. The first postcard is a picture of a desert, the second is a picture of a city, and the third is a picture of a forest. Atwood uses vivid imagery to describe each postcard, and the reader can almost see the scene unfolding before them.
However, there is more to these postcards than just a pretty picture. They represent the different stages of life: the desert is the beginning, the city is the middle, and the forest is the end. Atwood is reminding us that life is short, and we should make the most of it. The use of postcards as a metaphor for life is effective because postcards are often sent when someone is on vacation or traveling, and they want to share their experiences with others. Atwood is reminding us to cherish our experiences and to share them with others before they are gone.
"Morning in the Burned House"
The poem "Morning in the Burned House" is one of the most powerful in the collection. The poem describes the aftermath of a fire in a house, and the narrator reflects on the memories that were lost in the fire. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each describing a different memory.
Atwood uses vivid imagery to describe the memories, and the reader can almost feel the emotions that the narrator is feeling. The memories range from a grandfather clock to a stuffed toy, and each memory is significant in its own way. The poem is a reminder that memories are fragile and can be lost at any moment.
However, the poem also has a sense of hope. The final stanza describes a new beginning, with the narrator starting over and rebuilding. Atwood is reminding us that even though we may lose our memories, we can still create new ones and start over.
"The Animals in That Country"
"The Animals in That Country" is a poem about communication, or lack thereof. The poem describes a world where humans can understand the language of animals, but the animals cannot understand human language. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each describing a different interaction between a human and an animal.
The use of animals in the poem is effective because animals represent a more primal and instinctual way of communicating. The humans in the poem are frustrated because they cannot communicate with the animals, and the animals are frustrated because they cannot understand the humans. Atwood is using this poem to comment on the breakdown of communication in modern society.
The final stanza describes the animals taking over, and the humans being forced to leave. Atwood is warning us that if we do not learn to communicate better, we may be forced out by those who can.
"Death of a Young Son by Drowning"
"Death of a Young Son by Drowning" is one of the most powerful and heartbreaking poems in the collection. The poem describes the death of a young boy by drowning, and the aftermath for the family. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each describing a different aspect of the tragedy.
Atwood uses vivid imagery to describe the scene, and the reader can almost feel the pain and sorrow that the family is experiencing. The poem is a reminder that life is fragile, and that death can come unexpectedly.
However, the poem also has a sense of hope. The final stanza describes the family moving forward and starting over. Atwood is reminding us that even though we may experience tragedy, we can still find hope and start over.
Interpretation
Atwood's Postcards is a collection of poems that explores the themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. The collection is a reminder that life is short, and that we should cherish our experiences and share them with others.
The poems are also a commentary on modern society and the breakdown of communication. Atwood is warning us that if we do not learn to communicate better, we may be forced out by those who can.
Overall, Postcards is a powerful collection of poems that will leave you thinking long after you have finished reading. Atwood's use of language, imagery, and structure is masterful, and she is able to convey her message with precision and clarity. If you are looking for a collection of poems that will make you think and feel, then Postcards is the perfect choice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian poet, novelist, and literary critic who has made a significant contribution to the world of literature. Her works are known for their feminist themes, dystopian settings, and exploration of human relationships. One of her most famous works is the Poetry Postcards, a collection of poems that were originally published in 1977. In this article, we will analyze and explain the classic Poetry Postcards written by Margaret Atwood.
The Poetry Postcards is a collection of 22 poems that were written by Atwood during her travels across Canada and the United States. The poems are written on postcards, which were sent to her friends and family members. The collection is a unique blend of poetry and travel writing, as Atwood uses her experiences on the road to inspire her poetry.
The first poem in the collection is titled "The Animals in That Country." The poem is a commentary on the relationship between humans and animals. Atwood uses the metaphor of a zoo to describe the way humans treat animals. She writes, "In the zoo they feed them / the tender meat of calves / and leafy greens. / In the zoo they breed them / and kill their young / for the sake of the species." The poem is a powerful critique of the way humans exploit animals for their own benefit.
The second poem in the collection is titled "The City Planners." The poem is a commentary on the way cities are planned and built. Atwood uses the metaphor of a chessboard to describe the way cities are laid out. She writes, "They erase the flaws, / the blemishes of the past, / knock off useless blocks / with dental dexterity." The poem is a critique of the way cities are designed to be efficient and functional, rather than beautiful and unique.
The third poem in the collection is titled "You Fit into Me." The poem is a short, powerful piece that explores the dynamics of a romantic relationship. Atwood uses the metaphor of a hook to describe the way two people fit together in a relationship. She writes, "You fit into me / like a hook into an eye / a fish hook / an open eye." The poem is a commentary on the way two people can become so intertwined that they are almost inseparable.
The fourth poem in the collection is titled "The Moment." The poem is a meditation on the nature of time and the fleeting nature of life. Atwood writes, "The moment when, after many years / of hard work and a long voyage / you stand in the centre of your room, / house, half-acre, square mile, island, country, / knowing at last how you got there." The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should cherish every moment.
The fifth poem in the collection is titled "This Is a Photograph of Me." The poem is a haunting piece that explores the nature of identity and the way we present ourselves to the world. Atwood writes, "It was taken / some time ago. / At first it seems / to be / a smeared / print: blurred lines and grey flecks / blended with the paper." The poem is a commentary on the way we construct our identities and the way we present ourselves to others.
The sixth poem in the collection is titled "Morning in the Burned House." The poem is a meditation on the nature of loss and grief. Atwood writes, "In the burned house I am eating breakfast. / You understand: there is no house, there is no breakfast, / yet here I am." The poem is a powerful exploration of the way we cope with loss and the way we try to find meaning in the midst of tragedy.
The seventh poem in the collection is titled "Death of a Young Son by Drowning." The poem is a heartbreaking piece that explores the nature of grief and the way we cope with loss. Atwood writes, "He, who navigated with success / the dangerous river of his own birth / once more set forth / on a voyage of discovery / into the land I floated on / but could not touch to claim." The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the way we must cherish every moment.
The eighth poem in the collection is titled "The Circle Game." The poem is a meditation on the nature of time and the way we move through life. Atwood writes, "And the seasons they go round and round / And the painted ponies go up and down / We're captive on the carousel of time / We can't return we can only look / Behind from where we came." The poem is a powerful reminder that life is a journey and that we must cherish every moment.
The ninth poem in the collection is titled "Variations on the Word Sleep." The poem is a meditation on the nature of sleep and the way it affects our lives. Atwood writes, "I would like to be the air / that inhabits you for a moment / only. I would like to be that unnoticed / and that necessary." The poem is a powerful exploration of the way we connect with others and the way we find meaning in our lives.
The tenth poem in the collection is titled "The Woman Who Could Not Live with Her Faulty Heart." The poem is a haunting piece that explores the nature of mortality and the way we cope with the inevitability of death. Atwood writes, "I do not mean the symbol / of love, a candy shape / to decorate cakes with, / the heart that is supposed / to belong or break." The poem is a powerful reminder that life is short and that we must cherish every moment.
In conclusion, the Poetry Postcards written by Margaret Atwood is a powerful collection of poems that explore the nature of life, love, loss, and grief. Atwood's unique blend of poetry and travel writing creates a powerful and haunting collection that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading. The collection is a testament to Atwood's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
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