'One Lonely Afternoon' by Russell Edson

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Since the fern can't go to the sink for a drink of
water, I graciously submit myself to the task, bringing two
glasses from the sink.
And so we sit, the fern and I, sipping water together.


Of course I'm more complex than a fern, full of deep
thoughts as I am. But I lay this aside for the easy company
of an afternoon friendship.

I don't mind sipping water with a fern, even though,
had I my druthers, I'd be speeding through the sky for
Stockholm, sipping a bloody mary with a wedge of lime.

And so we sit one lonely afternoon sipping water
together. The fern looking out of its fronds, and I, looking
out of mine . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

One Lonely Afternoon: A Critique and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling perplexed, yet strangely intrigued? One Lonely Afternoon by Russell Edson is one such poem. Edson, an American poet, is known for his unconventional style, and One Lonely Afternoon is no exception. In this 4000-word critique and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Edson in this poem. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let's embark on this journey of literary discovery.

The Poem

Before we jump into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:

One lonely afternoon
the snail said, What shall I do?
he waited and waited
and waited and waited
and waited and waited
and waited and waited
but nothing happened.
So he decided to have a picnic.
And what did he do for a dish?
He fixed himself a dish of
sole and a dish of tongue,
and he had them both together,
and it was then that he
discovered that he had no taste.

The Analysis

At first glance, One Lonely Afternoon may seem like a nonsensical poem about a snail having a picnic. However, upon closer inspection, one can see that the poem is a commentary on the human condition.

Theme of Loneliness

The first theme that stands out in the poem is loneliness. The title itself, One Lonely Afternoon, sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The snail is all alone, with nothing to do. He is waiting for something to happen, but nothing does. This is a metaphor for the human condition, where we often feel like we are waiting for something to happen in our lives, but nothing ever does.

Symbolism of the Snail

The snail in the poem is a powerful symbol. Snails are slow-moving creatures, and they often retreat back into their shells when they feel threatened. This can be a metaphor for people who are introverted and shy, who prefer to stay away from the limelight. The fact that the snail is all alone highlights the theme of loneliness that we discussed earlier.

The Picnic

The picnic that the snail decides to have is another important symbol in the poem. A picnic is typically a social event, where people gather to share food and drink. However, the snail is all alone, and he is having a picnic by himself. This is a metaphor for the human condition, where we often feel like we are alone in a crowded room. We are surrounded by people, but we feel disconnected from them.

The Sole and the Tongue

The dishes that the snail prepares for himself are also significant. The fact that he prepares two dishes instead of one is a metaphor for the duality of life. There are always two sides to every story, and we must learn to accept both the good and the bad. The sole and the tongue are also interesting choices for dishes. The sole is a type of fish, which can be a symbol for the spiritual side of life, while the tongue is a muscle, which can be a symbol for the physical side of life. The fact that the snail has both dishes together, and yet he discovers that he has no taste, is a metaphor for the emptiness that we often feel in our lives.

Literary Devices

Edson's use of literary devices in One Lonely Afternoon is also worth mentioning. The repetition of the word "waited" is a powerful device that emphasizes the snail's loneliness and frustration. The use of alliteration in "sole and a dish of tongue" adds a musical quality to the poem. The use of enjambment, where the lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement. Finally, the use of irony in the last line, where the snail discovers that he has no taste, is a clever way to end the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, One Lonely Afternoon by Russell Edson is a fascinating poem that explores the themes of loneliness, duality, and emptiness. The snail is a powerful symbol for the human condition, and the picnic is a metaphor for the disconnect that we often feel in our lives. Edson's use of literary devices adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a joy to read and analyze. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do so. It may leave you feeling perplexed, but it will also leave you with a sense of awe and wonder at the power of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

One Lonely Afternoon: A Masterpiece of Surrealism

Russell Edson's One Lonely Afternoon is a surrealistic poem that explores the human condition through the lens of absurdity. The poem is a masterpiece of surrealism, a literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century and aimed to express the subconscious mind through art. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "One lonely afternoon I saw a cloud." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of loneliness and isolation. The cloud, which is a common symbol of freedom and transcendence, is presented as a solitary object, floating in the sky without any other clouds around it. This image creates a sense of emptiness and isolation, which is reinforced by the next line: "It was lonely too."

The loneliness of the cloud is a metaphor for the human condition, which is often characterized by a sense of isolation and disconnection. The poem suggests that even nature, which is often seen as a source of comfort and solace, can be lonely and disconnected. This theme is further developed in the next stanza, where the speaker describes the cloud as "a white balloon / that had lost its way." The image of a lost balloon is a powerful one, evoking a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. The cloud, like the balloon, is adrift in the sky, without any clear direction or purpose.

The theme of isolation is further developed in the third stanza, where the speaker describes the cloud as "a white whale / that had lost its way." The image of a lost whale is a powerful one, evoking a sense of sadness and despair. The whale, which is often seen as a symbol of strength and power, is presented as helpless and lost. This image reinforces the sense of isolation and disconnection that pervades the poem.

The fourth stanza introduces a new element into the poem: a man who is watching the cloud. The man is described as "a little man / with a hat and a cane." This image creates a sense of whimsy and playfulness, which contrasts with the loneliness and isolation of the cloud. The man is presented as a kind of observer, watching the cloud from a distance. This image suggests that the human condition is characterized not only by isolation and disconnection but also by a sense of curiosity and wonder.

The fifth stanza introduces a new element into the poem: a bird that is flying towards the cloud. The bird is described as "a blackbird / with a broken wing." This image creates a sense of sadness and vulnerability, which contrasts with the playfulness of the man. The bird is presented as a kind of messenger, bringing a message of hope and redemption to the cloud. This image suggests that even in the midst of loneliness and despair, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.

The sixth stanza brings the poem to a close, with the image of the bird and the cloud coming together. The bird is described as "landing on the cloud / like a black angel." This image creates a sense of transcendence and transformation, as the bird and the cloud merge into a single entity. The poem ends with the image of the bird and the cloud disappearing into the sky, leaving the man behind. This image suggests that even in the midst of transformation and renewal, there is always a sense of loss and separation.

One Lonely Afternoon is a masterpiece of surrealism, a poem that explores the human condition through the lens of absurdity. The poem is characterized by a sense of loneliness and isolation, which is reinforced by the imagery of the cloud, the lost balloon, and the lost whale. The poem suggests that even nature, which is often seen as a source of comfort and solace, can be lonely and disconnected. However, the poem also suggests that even in the midst of loneliness and despair, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal, as symbolized by the bird with the broken wing. The poem ends with the image of the bird and the cloud disappearing into the sky, leaving the man behind. This image suggests that even in the midst of transformation and renewal, there is always a sense of loss and separation. One Lonely Afternoon is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way.

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