'Dearborn North Apartments' by Lola Haskins
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Chicago, Illinois
Rows of rectangles rise, set into brick.
And in every rectangle, there is a lamp.
Why should there be a lamp in every window?
Because in all this wide city, there is not
enough light. Because the young in the world
are crazy for light and the old are afraid
it will leave them. Because whoever you are,
if you come home late but it looks like noon,
you won't tense at the click as you walk in
which is probably after all only the heat
coming on, or the floorboards settling.
So when you fling your coat to its peg in
the hall, and kick off your heels, and unzip
your black velvet at that odd vee'd angle as if
someone were twisting your arm from behind,
then reach inside the closet for a hanger,
just to the dark left where the dresses live,
what happens next is a complete surprise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dearborn North Apartments: A Deep Dive into Lola Haskins' Poem
If you're a fan of poetry, then you've probably come across Lola Haskins' work. She's a renowned poet who has won several awards for her work, including the Emily Dickinson Award from the Poetry Society of America. One of her most notable poems is "Dearborn North Apartments," which was published in her collection Still, the Mountain.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we're going to take a deep dive into "Dearborn North Apartments" to explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used by Haskins in this poem.
Overview of the Poem
Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, let's take a moment to read and understand it. Here's the poem in its entirety:
Dearborn North Apartments
The snow is tireless, the way
you were tireless that night
we couldn't leave the room.
It's snowing still, it's snowing now
and we are tired
of the way things go.
I want to sleep in the snow
with you beside me,
but we both know
the snow will melt,
have melted, by morning.
There is nothing here
but the sound of snow
and the sound of the furnace
and our breathing.
There is nothing here
but the way things go.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple description of a snowy night in an apartment. However, as we delve deeper, we'll see that there's much more going on in this poem than meets the eye.
Analysis of the Poem
Title
Let's start with the title of the poem: "Dearborn North Apartments." The title is significant because it sets the scene for the poem. The reader immediately understands that the poem takes place in an apartment complex in the northern part of Dearborn. This helps to create a sense of place and atmosphere for the reader.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Dearborn North Apartments" is the imagery used by Haskins. The entire poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the snow and the apartment. For example, in the first two lines, Haskins writes, "The snow is tireless, the way / you were tireless that night / we couldn't leave the room." Here, Haskins uses the image of tireless snow to create a sense of never-endingness. This is contrasted with the memory of a night when the speaker and their companion were also tireless.
Haskins also uses the sound of snow as an image throughout the poem. In the third stanza, she writes, "I want to sleep in the snow / with you beside me." Here, Haskins uses the image of the snow as a comforting and peaceful place to sleep. The sound of the furnace and the breathing of the speaker and their companion also create an image of warmth and comfort.
Theme
The theme of "Dearborn North Apartments" is the passing of time and the transience of life. The poem is set on a snowy night, and the snow is used as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. The speaker and their companion are tired of "the way things go," suggesting that they are tired of the monotony and predictability of life.
The desire to sleep in the snow with a companion is a way of seeking solace from the constant change and transience of life. However, the speaker acknowledges that the snow will melt and that life will continue as usual. There is nothing here but "the way things go," suggesting that life is cyclical and that everything will eventually come to an end.
Symbolism
There are several symbols used in "Dearborn North Apartments" that add to the meaning of the poem. The snow is a symbol of the passing of time and the transience of life. The fact that the snow is tireless suggests that time is always moving forward and that life is constantly changing.
The sound of the furnace is a symbol of warmth and comfort. It represents the desire for a stable and secure life. However, the fact that the furnace is still running on a snowy night suggests that life is not always stable and that there are always unexpected surprises.
The image of the speaker and their companion sleeping in the snow is a symbol of the desire for a deeper connection and a sense of belonging. However, the fact that the snow will melt by morning suggests that this feeling of connection is fleeting and temporary.
Tone
The tone of "Dearborn North Apartments" is melancholic and reflective. The speaker is tired of the way things go and is seeking solace from the passing of time. However, the fact that the snow will melt and that life will continue as usual creates a sense of sadness and resignation.
Structure
The structure of "Dearborn North Apartments" is simple and straightforward. The poem consists of five stanzas, each with three lines. The repetition of the phrase "there is nothing here" in the fourth and fifth stanza creates a sense of finality and closure.
Conclusion
In "Dearborn North Apartments," Lola Haskins uses vivid imagery, symbolism, and a reflective tone to explore the passing of time and the transience of life. The poem is a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and that everything is temporary. However, it also suggests that seeking solace and connection in the present moment can bring a sense of peace and comfort.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dearborn North Apartments: A Poetic Ode to Urban Living
Lola Haskins’ Dearborn North Apartments is a classic poem that captures the essence of urban living. The poem is a vivid description of the daily life of the residents of a high-rise apartment building in Chicago. Haskins’ use of imagery, metaphor, and personification creates a powerful and evocative picture of the cityscape and the people who inhabit it.
The poem begins with a description of the building itself, which is “a giant box of light.” The use of the word “giant” emphasizes the scale of the building, while “box” suggests its uniformity and lack of individuality. The building is described as being made of light, which is a metaphor for the energy and vitality of the city. The light also suggests the transparency and openness of the building, which is a common feature of modern architecture.
The next stanza describes the people who live in the building. They are “the ones who come home late, / the ones who leave early.” This line captures the transience and restlessness of urban life. The people are always on the move, coming and going at all hours of the day and night. The use of the word “ones” suggests that they are anonymous and interchangeable, just like the building itself.
The poem then moves on to describe the sounds of the city. The “roar of the el” and the “siren’s wail” are both examples of personification, as they give human qualities to inanimate objects. The el is given a voice, and the siren is described as if it were a living creature. These sounds are a constant presence in the city, and they create a sense of urgency and excitement.
The next stanza describes the view from the building. The “city spreads out like a map” below, and the “lights of the skyscrapers / twinkle like stars.” This imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe at the scale and beauty of the city. The use of the word “map” suggests that the city is a complex and intricate system, with many different parts working together.
The final stanza of the poem describes the people who live in the building as “the ones who know / the city’s secrets.” This line suggests that the residents of the building are insiders, who have a deep understanding of the city and its workings. They are also described as “the ones who keep / the city’s secrets,” which suggests that they are responsible for maintaining the city’s vitality and energy.
Overall, Dearborn North Apartments is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of urban living. Haskins’ use of imagery, metaphor, and personification creates a vivid picture of the cityscape and the people who inhabit it. The poem celebrates the energy and vitality of the city, while also acknowledging its challenges and complexities. It is a timeless ode to the urban experience, and a reminder of the power and beauty of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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