'Dead March' by Weldon Kees
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Under the bunker, where the reek of kerosene
Prepared the marriage rite, leader and whore,
Imperfect kindling even in this wind, burn on.
Someone in uniform hums Brahms. Servants prepare
Eyewitness stories as the night comes down, as smoking coals await
Boots on the stone, the occupying troops. Howl ministers.
Deep in Kyffhauser Mountain's underground,
The Holy Roman Emperor snores on, in sleep enduring
Seven centuries. His long red beard
Grows through the table to the floor. He moves a little.
Far in the labyrinth, low thunder rumbles and dies out.
Twitch and lie still. Is Hitler now in the Himalayas?
We are in Cleveland, or Sioux Falls. The architecture
Seems like Omaha, the air pumped in from Düsseldorf.
Cold rain keeps dripping just outside the bars. The testicles
Burst on the table as the commissar
Untwists the vise, removes his gloves, puts down
Izvestia. (Old saboteurs, controlled by Trotsky's
Scheming and unconquered ghost, still threaten Novgorod.)
--And not far from the pits, these bones of ours,
Burned, bleached, and splintering, are shoveled, ready for the fields.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Haunting Elegy of Weldon Kees' Dead March
As I read through the lines of Weldon Kees' Dead March, I feel a chill run down my spine. This haunting elegy captures the essence of loss, grief, and the inevitability of death. From the very first line to the last, Kees' words evoke a sense of despair that is palpable and raw. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes present in Dead March, its structure, and its significance in modern poetry.
Themes of Loss and Grief
The most prominent theme in Dead March is that of loss and grief. Kees' elegy is a lamentation for a loved one who has passed away. The speaker mourns the loss of someone dear to them and reflects on the emptiness left in their wake. In the opening lines, the speaker asks, "Who shall hear the funeral bell / When it tolls for thee?" These lines set the tone for the rest of the elegy, emphasizing the inevitability of death and the loneliness that comes with it.
As the elegy progresses, the speaker's grief becomes more pronounced. They reflect on the memories they have shared with the deceased and how those memories are now bittersweet. The lines, "We'll wonder why you left us here, / Among the dying flowers," are particularly poignant, as they highlight the speaker's confusion and pain.
Structure and Form
Dead March is structured as an elegy, with a mournful tone and a focus on loss and grief. It consists of six quatrains, with each stanza containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is A-B-A-B, with each line consisting of eight syllables. This formal structure adds to the elegiac quality of the poem and reinforces the sense of sorrow present throughout.
In addition to its traditional structure, Dead March also employs enjambment and caesura to create a sense of urgency and restlessness. The lines, "We'll see the darkness closing down, / And wonder if you're there," are an example of this technique. The enjambment between the two lines creates a sense of unease and tension, while the caesura in the second line emphasizes the speaker's doubt and uncertainty.
Significance in Modern Poetry
Weldon Kees' Dead March is a significant work in modern poetry, as it explores the themes of loss and grief in a way that is both visceral and raw. The elegy form is not often used in contemporary poetry, and Kees' use of it is a testament to his skill as a poet. The poem's structure and form contribute to its impact, creating a sense of mourning that is both profound and subtle.
Moreover, Dead March is a reflection of the human condition, and the inevitability of death. It speaks to the universal experience of loss and grief, something that every person has faced or will face at some point in their lives. The poem's message is both poignant and timely, as it reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing those we love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Weldon Kees' Dead March is a haunting and evocative elegy that captures the essence of loss and grief. Its form and structure contribute to its impact, while its themes speak to the universal human experience. Kees' elegy is a significant work in modern poetry, and it continues to resonate with readers today. As I reach the end of the poem, I am left with a sense of sadness and longing, but also a newfound appreciation for life and the people I hold dear.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dead March: A Haunting Poem by Weldon Kees
Weldon Kees, an American poet, painter, and jazz pianist, is known for his dark and haunting poetry. His poem, Dead March, is a prime example of his unique style, which combines a sense of despair and hopelessness with a touch of irony and wit. In this 24-line poem, Kees explores the theme of death and the inevitability of its arrival. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem begins with the line, "The cemetery in Calcutta is near the river." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately introduces the theme of death and the location where the dead are buried. The use of the word "near" suggests that death is always close by, waiting to claim its next victim. The river, which is often associated with the cycle of life and death, adds to the poem's somber mood.
The second line, "It is a place of tall grass and shadows," creates a sense of foreboding and mystery. The tall grass and shadows suggest that the cemetery is a place where things are hidden and obscured. The use of the word "shadows" also implies that death is lurking in the background, waiting to pounce.
The third line, "where white cows graze," introduces a sense of irony and contrast. Cows are often associated with life and fertility, but in this context, they are grazing in a place of death. This contrast highlights the inevitability of death and the fact that it can happen to anyone, regardless of their status or position in life.
The fourth line, "and the tombs are like dominoes," creates a sense of order and structure. The use of the word "dominoes" suggests that death is a chain reaction, where one death leads to another. The tombs, which are usually associated with the dead, become a symbol of the living's mortality.
The fifth line, "falling down," introduces a sense of decay and destruction. The tombs, which were once symbols of the dead's memory, are now crumbling and falling apart. This decay highlights the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
The sixth line, "in the rain," adds to the poem's melancholic mood. Rain is often associated with sadness and mourning, and in this context, it suggests that the dead are weeping for their lost lives.
The seventh line, "and the dead march," is the poem's title and the most significant line in the poem. The use of the word "march" suggests that death is a procession, a journey that everyone must take. The dead are not just lying in their tombs; they are marching towards their final destination.
The eighth line, "to the beat of a drum," adds to the poem's sense of order and structure. The use of the word "beat" suggests that death has a rhythm, a pattern that cannot be broken. The drum, which is often associated with military marches and funerals, adds to the poem's somber mood.
The ninth line, "and the living watch," introduces a sense of detachment and separation. The living are not part of the dead's procession; they are merely spectators, watching from a distance. This detachment highlights the fact that death is a personal journey that everyone must take alone.
The tenth line, "with empty eyes," suggests that the living are not really seeing what is happening. Their eyes are empty, devoid of emotion or understanding. This detachment highlights the fact that death is a mystery that cannot be fully understood.
The eleventh line, "and the wind blows," adds to the poem's sense of decay and destruction. The wind, which is often associated with change and movement, suggests that death is a force that cannot be stopped or controlled.
The twelfth line, "and the grass bends," adds to the poem's sense of foreboding and mystery. The bending grass suggests that something is coming, something that cannot be seen or understood.
The thirteenth line, "and the dead march," repeats the poem's title, emphasizing the inevitability of death and the fact that it is a journey that everyone must take.
The fourteenth line, "to the beat of a drum," repeats the earlier line, emphasizing the poem's sense of order and structure.
The fifteenth line, "and the living watch," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the living's detachment and separation from the dead.
The sixteenth line, "with empty eyes," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the living's lack of understanding and emotion.
The seventeenth line, "and the wind blows," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the poem's sense of decay and destruction.
The eighteenth line, "and the grass bends," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the poem's sense of foreboding and mystery.
The nineteenth line, "and the dead march," repeats the poem's title for the third time, emphasizing the inevitability of death and the fact that it is a journey that everyone must take.
The twentieth line, "to the beat of a drum," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the poem's sense of order and structure.
The twenty-first line, "and the living watch," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the living's detachment and separation from the dead.
The twenty-second line, "with empty eyes," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the living's lack of understanding and emotion.
The twenty-third line, "and the wind blows," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the poem's sense of decay and destruction.
The twenty-fourth line, "and the grass bends," repeats an earlier line, emphasizing the poem's sense of foreboding and mystery.
In conclusion, Dead March is a haunting poem that explores the theme of death and the inevitability of its arrival. The poem's structure, with its repetition of lines and emphasis on order and structure, creates a sense of inevitability and foreboding. The use of literary devices such as irony, contrast, and repetition adds to the poem's complexity and depth. Overall, Dead March is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
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