'Just Thinking' by William Stafford

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Got up on a cool morning. Leaned out a window.
No cloud, no wind. Air that flowers held
for awhile. Some dove somewhere.Been on probation most of my life. And
the rest of my life been condemned. So these moments
count for a lot--peace, you know.Let the bucket of memory down into the well,
bring it up. Cool, cool minutes. No one
stirring, no plans. Just being there.This is what the whole thing is about.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Just Thinking: A Deep Dive into William Stafford's Poetry

Are you a fan of poetry? Do you enjoy pondering life's big questions? If so, you're in for a treat with William Stafford's "Just Thinking." In this classic poem, Stafford explores themes of time, change, and the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll break down the poem stanza by stanza and analyze its deeper meanings.

Stanza One

Start with the first line: "Got up on a cool morning." Right away, we get a sense of the setting and tone of the poem. It's a calm, peaceful morning, and the speaker is up early to enjoy it.

But what about the rest of the stanza? "Barefooted" and "dressed in thin pajamas" suggest that the speaker is not quite prepared for the day ahead. They're not fully dressed, and their feet are unprotected. This vulnerability sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is open and receptive to whatever the day may bring.

Stanza Two

In the second stanza, Stafford introduces the first of many powerful images: "All around me the tall pines sway." This line creates a vivid sense of the natural world and connects the speaker to their surroundings. We can almost feel the breeze rustling through the trees and the gentle sway of the pine needles.

But the imagery becomes more complex in the next lines: "Talking to myself about the atom / and democracy, I knew / that all the scattered leaves / in the world were just one thing." Here, Stafford brings in themes of science and politics, suggesting that the natural world is interconnected with human systems and ideas. The scattered leaves, which might seem like random debris, are actually part of a larger, unified whole.

Stanza Three

The third stanza brings us back to the speaker's internal dialogue: "So I said, shuffling on my way / past the noisy geese and the / slapped-down weeds, / that the world is unified like this." The speaker is still musing on the interconnectedness of things, even as they go about their daily routine.

But there's a sense of sadness and loss in the next lines: "A beggar on the corner / proved it to me, with his blood-shot / eyes and shaky hands holding up / the 'will work for food' sign." The image of the beggar is a stark contrast to the natural beauty described earlier. It's a reminder that not everyone is able to appreciate the interconnectedness of the world in the same way.

Stanza Four

In the fourth stanza, Stafford returns to the idea of change and impermanence: "And later, thinking back over / the day, I realized that what I had seen / was not a beggar at all, but / the Buddha himself." This is a surprising twist in the poem, and it elevates the image of the beggar to something much more profound.

The Buddha is a symbol of enlightenment and wisdom, and his presence suggests that even in the midst of suffering and poverty, there is the potential for spiritual growth and understanding. The speaker's perspective has shifted, and they now see the beggar as a kind of teacher or guide.

Stanza Five

The final stanza brings us back to the natural world: "A great river flows through / all of creation, and in it / are all the things that ever were / and ever will be." This is a beautiful image, suggesting that the river is a kind of metaphorical time machine, carrying everything forward into the future.

But there's a sense of urgency in the last lines: "So in a way, the beggar was right. / And you are right. / And all the others are right." The speaker is suggesting that there are many paths to enlightenment and understanding, and that even the most unlikely sources (like a beggar on the corner) can offer profound insights.

Conclusion

So what can we take away from "Just Thinking"? At its core, this poem is about the interconnectedness of all things. From the natural world to human systems to individual experiences, everything is part of a larger whole. But there's also a sense of impermanence and change, and the poem suggests that we should be open to new perspectives and insights, even from unexpected sources.

Overall, "Just Thinking" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that invites us to look at the world with fresh eyes and an open heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a powerful tool that can be used to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a unique and creative way. William Stafford's poem "Just Thinking" is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to convey complex ideas in a simple and beautiful way. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem "Just Thinking" is a short, four-line poem that packs a punch. It begins with the line "Got up on a cool morning" which immediately sets the scene for the reader. The use of the word "cool" suggests a sense of calmness and tranquility, which is further emphasized by the next line, "slipped out quietly". The use of the word "quietly" suggests a sense of stillness and peacefulness, which is further reinforced by the third line, "to pick blueberries".

The act of picking blueberries is a simple and mundane task, but it is also symbolic of something deeper. Blueberries are a fruit that grows in the wild and are often associated with nature and the outdoors. By choosing to pick blueberries, the speaker is connecting with nature and the natural world. This is further emphasized by the final line of the poem, "It was three weeks after the solstice". The solstice is a significant event in the natural world, marking the longest day of the year. By referencing the solstice, the speaker is acknowledging the importance of nature and the changing seasons.

The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the simplicity of the moment. The short, four-line structure of the poem is reflective of the brevity of the moment. The use of enjambment, where the sentence continues onto the next line, also emphasizes the flow and natural rhythm of the moment. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the speaker to express their thoughts and emotions in a natural and unstructured way.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in imagery and symbolism. The use of the word "cool" to describe the morning creates a sense of calmness and tranquility. The word "quietly" emphasizes the stillness and peacefulness of the moment. The use of the word "slipped" suggests a sense of stealth and secrecy, as if the speaker is trying not to disturb the natural world around them. The use of the word "blueberries" is symbolic of nature and the outdoors, while the reference to the solstice emphasizes the importance of the changing seasons.

The poem "Just Thinking" is a beautiful and powerful example of how poetry can be used to express complex ideas in a simple and creative way. The poem emphasizes the importance of nature and the natural world, and it encourages the reader to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the world around them. The poem is a reminder that sometimes the most profound moments in life are the simplest ones, and that we should take the time to appreciate them.

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