'The Writer' by Richard Wilbur
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In her room at the prow of the house
Where light breaks, and the windows are tossed with linden,
My daughter is writing a story.
I pause in the stairwell, hearing
>From her shut door a commotion of typewriter-keys
Like a chain hauled over a gunwale.
Young as she is, the stuff
Of her life is a great cargo, and some of it heavy:
I wish her a lucky passage.
But now it is she who pauses,
As if to reject my thought and its easy figure.
A stillness greatens, in which
The whole house seems to be thinking,
And then she is at it again with a bunched clamor
Of strokes, and again is silent.
I remember the dazed starling
Which was trapped in that very room, two years ago;
How we stole in, lifted a sash
And retreated, not to affright it;
And how for a helpless hour, through the crack of the door,
We watched the sleek, wild, dark
And iridescent creature
Batter against the brilliance, drop like a glove
To the hard floor, or the desk-top,
And wait then, humped and bloody,
For the wits to try it again; and how our spirits
Rose when, suddenly sure,
It lifted off from a chair-back,
Beating a smooth course for the right window
And clearing the sill of the world.
It is always a matter, my darling,
Of life or death, as I had forgotten. I wish
What I wished you before, but harder.
Submitted by Michael Schiavo
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Writer by Richard Wilbur
As a poetry enthusiast, I have read countless poems, but none has moved me quite like Richard Wilbur's "The Writer". This classic poem is a masterpiece of metaphor and imagery, which draws the reader into the mind of a writer, and the creative process that brings a work of art to life.
At its core, "The Writer" is a poem about the power of the written word, and the transformative nature of the creative process. As the writer sits at his desk, surrounded by books and paper, he becomes lost in the world of his own imagination, crafting stories that come to life on the page.
The opening lines of the poem set the stage for what is to come, as Wilbur describes the writer's "desk with a view of the sky". This simple image immediately transports the reader to the writer's world, showing us the view from his window, and the space where he works.
But it is the second stanza that really captures the essence of the creative process, as the writer becomes lost in his own thoughts:
"It is always a matter, my darling,
Of life or death, as I had forgotten.
I wish what I wished you before, but harder."
Here, Wilbur shows us that the act of writing is not just a simple task, but a matter of life and death. For the writer, every word is important, every thought is crucial, and every choice has the potential to make or break a story.
The line "as I had forgotten" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the writer has become so absorbed in his work that he has lost touch with the outside world. He is living in his own imagination, and his only connection to reality is through the words he writes.
Wilbur then goes on to describe the writer's struggle to find the right words, as he searches for "a verb that will do". This is a common experience for writers, and it is something that anyone who has ever tried to write a story or poem can relate to.
But Wilbur takes this struggle to a whole new level, as he describes the writer's search for a verb that will not only do, but will "enact love". This is a stunning image, which shows us just how important the writer's work is to him.
He is not just trying to write a story, but to capture the essence of love, and to bring it to life on the page. It is a task that is both daunting and exhilarating, and it is one that the writer takes very seriously.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Wilbur describes the writer's desire to create something that will outlive him:
"But what could I say that you would like,
A croak, a cry with which you'd wipe
A tear from your eye, for you have seen
Unjustified distress,
And for that you'd let fly
A few harsh words at me,
Correcting the faults of the story?"
Here, Wilbur shows us that the writer is not just writing for himself, but for his readers. He is acutely aware of the impact that his words can have, and he wants to create something that will endure long after he is gone.
He is also aware of the power that his words can have to move people, to bring tears to their eyes, and to inspire them to take action. And he is willing to accept criticism, both from his readers and from himself, in order to create something that is truly great.
Overall, "The Writer" is a stunning poem, which captures the essence of the creative process in a way that few other works of literature can match. It is a testament to the power of the written word, and a tribute to the men and women who dedicate their lives to the craft of writing.
As a reader, I was deeply moved by this poem, and I believe that anyone who has ever tried to write anything will find something to relate to in its beautiful language and powerful imagery. It is a work of art that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Writer: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. Richard Wilbur's poem, The Writer, is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the essence of life and the human experience in just a few lines. This classic poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers today.
The Writer is a short poem that consists of only six lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. In fact, the poem's simplicity is what makes it so powerful. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This allows the poet to focus on the message of the poem rather than the structure.
The poem begins with the line, "In her room at the prow of the house." This line sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "prow" suggests that the room is at the front of the house, perhaps overlooking a body of water. This creates a sense of isolation and solitude, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The next line reads, "Where light breaks, and the windows are tossed with linden." This line is a beautiful example of Wilbur's use of imagery. The use of the word "light" suggests that the room is bright and airy. The phrase "windows are tossed with linden" creates a visual image of the leaves of a linden tree blowing in the wind outside the window. This image adds to the sense of isolation and solitude, as if the writer is cut off from the outside world.
The third line reads, "Where the breeze gives her hair and her nightgown to flutings slow." This line is a perfect example of how Wilbur uses language to create a sense of movement and rhythm. The use of the word "flutings" suggests a slow, gentle movement, like the fluttering of a bird's wings. This line also adds to the sense of isolation and solitude, as if the writer is lost in her own thoughts and movements.
The fourth line reads, "The hours are all apple, golden apple." This line is a beautiful example of Wilbur's use of metaphor. The use of the word "apple" suggests that the hours are sweet and ripe, like a fruit ready to be picked. The use of the word "golden" adds to the sense of warmth and richness. This line also suggests that the writer is in a state of creative flow, where time seems to stand still.
The fifth line reads, "Her desk is a lattice of white roses, and her notes are tangles of stems." This line is another example of Wilbur's use of imagery. The use of the word "lattice" suggests a delicate, intricate structure, like the petals of a flower. The use of the word "white roses" adds to the sense of purity and beauty. The phrase "notes are tangles of stems" suggests that the writer's thoughts are intertwined and complex, like the branches of a plant.
The final line reads, "Languor is not upon her lips, nor vision of afternoons subdued." This line is a beautiful example of Wilbur's use of language to create a sense of contrast. The use of the word "languor" suggests a sense of laziness or lethargy, while the phrase "vision of afternoons subdued" suggests a sense of calm and tranquility. This line suggests that the writer is in a state of creative flow, where she is fully engaged in her work and not distracted by the outside world.
In conclusion, The Writer is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and the human experience in just a few lines. Wilbur's use of language, imagery, and metaphor creates a sense of isolation, solitude, movement, rhythm, contrast, and beauty. The poem is a perfect example of how poetry can evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. The Writer is a timeless classic that continues to inspire readers today.
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