'June' by Denise Duhamel
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The blue forest, chilled and blue, like the lips of the dead
if the lips were gone. The year has been cut in half
with dull scissors, the solstice still looking for its square
on the calendar. Perhaps the scissors were really
lawn mowers or hoes. Perhaps God's calendar is Chinese.
As first I didn't understand those burlap dolls
slouched in Central Pennsylvania craft stores.
Where were the button eyes, the tiny pearl nostrils?
the smudgy pink watercolor cheeks?
I enter the woods--part Gretel, part Little Red.
Such a small patch of sun makes it to the ground
through the leaves. The tree trunks are all elbows and knees,
all arthritis and gripes. The Amish think it's wrong
to render nature, quilts abstracting each pattern's name
of tree, buggy, corn, horse, farm.
My uncle, not Amish but superstitious, holds his palm
to the camera in a Christmas photo. Before she died
my grandmother ripped up all the pictures of herself.
She liked a novel with mystery, magazines without nudity.
The boy was killed by a drunk driver. My Amish neighbors
forgive. I prefer seeing it all, the snot, the optical nerve, the liver
behind the belly's skin. I prefer a good fight,
a wailing of grief. The Farmers' Market sells apples
as red as tricycles. The dolls without faces
want it silent. The forest, all anger and yesterday,
newspapers blank as white cotton sheets.
the branches, the teeth, the awful vees.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Analysis of Denise Duhamel's "June"
Denise Duhamel is a poet whose work is characterized by its wit, humor, and accessibility. Her poem "June" is a prime example of this style, as it is a playful and thoughtful exploration of the month of June and all that it represents. In this essay, I will be examining "June" in depth, looking at its themes, structure, and language, and offering my own interpretation and analysis.
Overview
"June" is a poem that begins with an epigraph from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that reads, "The course of true love never did run smooth." This quote sets the tone for the poem, which is a meditation on the many contradictions and complexities of the month of June. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of June: the weather, the natural world, and human relationships.
Structure
"June" is a free-verse poem that is divided into three sections, each of which is composed of several stanzas. The first section deals with the weather and is composed of six stanzas, each of which consists of three lines. The second section deals with the natural world and is composed of seven stanzas, each of which consists of four lines. The final section deals with human relationships and is composed of five stanzas, each of which consists of three lines. The poem has no rhyme scheme and no regular meter, but it does make use of repeated phrases and images to create a sense of unity and coherence.
Themes
One of the central themes of "June" is the idea that things are not always what they seem. Throughout the poem, Duhamel uses images and language that suggest both beauty and danger, pleasure and pain, love and loss. For example, in the first section, she describes the "sweet" and "innocent" smell of lilacs, but then goes on to say that they "make me sneeze." Similarly, in the second section, she describes the "lush" and "luxuriant" foliage of June, but then goes on to say that it "hides a million thorns." The poem suggests that June, like life itself, is full of contradictions and that we must learn to accept and appreciate both the good and the bad.
Another theme of the poem is the idea that human relationships are complex and often fraught with conflict and tension. Throughout the final section of the poem, Duhamel explores the ups and downs of romantic love, from the initial excitement and passion to the inevitable disillusionment and heartbreak. However, the poem also suggests that even in the midst of pain and disappointment, there is hope for healing and renewal.
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking features of "June" is its use of vivid and evocative language and imagery. Duhamel's descriptions of the natural world are particularly memorable, as she uses language that is both sensual and precise to capture the sights, sounds, and smells of June. For example, she writes that "The air is like wet gauze" and that the "lilacs smell sweet as love but make me sneeze." These descriptions not only paint a vivid picture of the world of June but also suggest the contradictions and complexities that are at the heart of the poem.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of repetition and variation. Throughout the poem, Duhamel repeats certain images and phrases, such as the "sweet" smell of lilacs, the "lush" foliage of June, and the idea that love is like a rollercoaster. However, she also varies these images and phrases, adding new details and perspectives with each repetition. This creates a sense of continuity and coherence in the poem, while also allowing for a sense of growth and development.
Interpretation
In my interpretation of "June," I see the poem as a celebration of the beauty and complexity of life. Duhamel's use of vivid language and imagery suggests that even the most simple and ordinary things can be full of wonder and mystery. The poem also suggests that while life is often full of contradictions and tension, it is this very complexity that makes it worth living.
At the same time, the poem acknowledges the pain and disappointment that come with romantic love. However, it also suggests that even in the midst of heartbreak, there is hope for healing and renewal. The final lines of the poem, which describe the "breathless" excitement of a new love, suggest that even after the pain and disillusionment of one relationship, there is always the possibility of finding joy and meaning in another.
Conclusion
Denise Duhamel's "June" is a poem that celebrates the contradictions and complexities of life. Through its use of vivid language and imagery, the poem invites the reader to explore the beauty and danger, pleasure and pain, love and loss that are at the heart of the human experience. While acknowledging the difficulties of romantic relationships, the poem ultimately suggests that even in the midst of heartbreak, there is always hope for healing and renewal. Overall, "June" is a thoughtful and engaging poem that invites the reader to reflect on the many wonders and challenges of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
June: A Celebration of Summer
Denise Duhamel's poem "June" is a celebration of the summer season, capturing the essence of the month in vivid detail. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and joy of summer, with its long days, warm nights, and abundance of life. Through her use of imagery, metaphor, and personification, Duhamel brings the season to life, inviting the reader to revel in its pleasures.
The poem begins with a description of the month of June, setting the scene for the rest of the poem. Duhamel writes, "June is the month of brides and roses," immediately conjuring up images of weddings and fragrant flowers. The use of alliteration in this line adds to its musicality, emphasizing the importance of the month. The reference to brides also suggests the idea of new beginnings and fresh starts, which is fitting for a season that is often associated with growth and renewal.
Duhamel then goes on to describe the natural world in June, painting a picture of a vibrant and abundant landscape. She writes, "The sky is a blue tent, the clouds white flags / Moving across the sky like kings and queens / Of infinite dominions." The personification of the clouds as royalty adds a sense of grandeur and majesty to the scene, while the use of simile in the comparison to flags emphasizes their movement and fluidity. The image of the blue sky as a tent also creates a sense of shelter and protection, suggesting that the summer season is a time of safety and comfort.
The poem then turns to the animal world, with Duhamel describing the creatures that inhabit the summer landscape. She writes, "The bees are busy / With their work of making honey, / And the birds are singing / Their songs of love and joy." The use of personification in these lines gives the bees and birds a sense of purpose and agency, as if they are actively engaged in the work of the season. The reference to love and joy also suggests that the summer season is a time of celebration and happiness.
Duhamel then turns to the human world, describing the activities and emotions of people in June. She writes, "Children run through the fields / Chasing butterflies and fireflies, / And lovers lie in the grass / Watching the stars above." The use of imagery in these lines creates a sense of movement and activity, as well as a feeling of intimacy and connection. The reference to stars also suggests a sense of wonder and awe, as if the summer season is a time of magic and mystery.
The poem then takes a darker turn, with Duhamel acknowledging the fleeting nature of the season. She writes, "But June is also a month of endings, / Of graduations and goodbyes, / Of the last day of school / And the first day of summer." The use of contrast in these lines emphasizes the bittersweet nature of the season, with its mixture of joy and sadness. The reference to graduations and goodbyes also suggests the idea of transition and change, as if the summer season is a time of transformation and growth.
The poem ends with a sense of hope and renewal, with Duhamel writing, "June is a month of beginnings too, / Of new adventures and fresh starts, / Of the promise of tomorrow / And the memories of yesterday." The use of repetition in these lines emphasizes the cyclical nature of the season, with its constant cycle of endings and beginnings. The reference to memories also suggests the idea of nostalgia and reflection, as if the summer season is a time of looking back and remembering.
In conclusion, Denise Duhamel's poem "June" is a celebration of the summer season, capturing its beauty, joy, and complexity. Through her use of imagery, metaphor, and personification, Duhamel brings the season to life, inviting the reader to revel in its pleasures. The poem is a reminder that summer is a time of growth, renewal, and transformation, as well as a time of celebration and happiness. It is a tribute to the power of nature, the beauty of the world, and the resilience of the human spirit.
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