'Visitation' by Mark Doty
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When I heard he had entered the harbor,
and circled the wharf for days,
I expected the worst: shallow water,
confusion, some accident to bring
the young humpback to grief.
Don't they depend on a compass
lodged in the salt-flooded folds
of the brain, some delicate
musical mechanism to navigate
their true course? How many ways,
in our century's late iron hours,
might we have led him to disaster?
That, in those days, was how
I'd come to see the world:
dark upon dark, any sense
of spirit an embattled flame
sparked against wind-driven rain
till pain snuffed it out. I thought,
This is what experience gives us ,
and I moved carefully through my life
while I waited. . . Enough,
it wasn't that way at all. The whale
—exuberant, proud maybe, playful,
like the early music of Beethoven—
cruised the footings for smelts
clustered near the pylons
in mercury flocks. He
(do I have the gender right?)
would negotiate the rusty hulls
of the Portuguese fishing boats
—Holy Infant, Little Marie—
with what could only be read
as pleasure, coming close
then diving, trailing on the surface
big spreading circles
until he'd breach, thrilling us
with the release of pressured breath,
and the bulk of his sleek young head
—a wet black leather sofa
already barnacled with ghostly lice—
and his elegant and unlikely mouth,
and the marvelous afterthought of the flukes,
and the way his broad flippers
resembled a pair of clownish gloves
or puppet hands, looming greenish white
beneath the bay's clouded sheen.
When he had consumed his pleasure
of the shimmering swarm, his pleasure, perhaps,
in his own admired performance,
he swam out the harbor mouth,
into the Atlantic. And though grief
has seemed to me itself a dim,
salt suspension in which I've moved,
blind thing, day by day,
through the wreckage, barely aware
of what I stumbled toward, even I
couldn't help but look
at the way this immense figure
graces the dark medium,
and shines so: heaviness
which is no burden to itself.
What did you think, that joy
was some slight thing?
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Visitation" by Mark Doty: An Unforgettable Journey
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the powerful words of Mark Doty's "Visitation"? This classic poem is a masterpiece of modern literature that captures the essence of human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and memory. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the rich layers of meaning that lie hidden within the text, examining its structure, language, and imagery to uncover its true significance.
Analysis of "Visitation"
"Visitation" is a complex and multi-layered poem that defies easy interpretation. At its core, it is a meditation on the nature of memory and the ways in which our past experiences shape who we are. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of memory.
The first section begins with an image of a deer crossing a river, which serves as a metaphor for the way in which memories flow through our minds:
"A doe steps into the river,
shakes herself, and wades across."
This opening image immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of fluidity and movement that will recur throughout. The speaker then goes on to describe the act of remembering, observing that memories are like stones that we toss into the river of our minds:
"We fling stones into the river,
watch as they're swallowed by its mirror..."
The river is a powerful symbol of the subconscious mind, and the act of throwing stones into it represents the way in which we actively engage with our memories, exploring and attempting to understand them. The metaphor of the river also suggests that memories are not static, but rather constantly in motion, shifting and changing as they flow through our minds.
The second section of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's personal memories, specifically those of his deceased lover. The language in this section becomes more sensual and specific, as the speaker describes the physical sensations of memory:
"The shape of your absence is a presence,
a solid weight that presses down
on my chest."
Here, the speaker is emphasizing the physicality of memory, suggesting that it is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible force that can be felt in the body. The use of the word "solid" to describe the weight of memory further emphasizes this point.
The final section of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it shifts focus once again, this time to the universal experience of loss. The speaker notes that we all carry memories of those we have lost, and that these memories shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us:
"There's no one here to hear me,
but it doesn't matter.
The river runs on, carrying everything
inside it."
This final stanza is a poignant reminder that we are all connected by the river of memory, and that our shared experiences of loss and love are what make us human.
Interpretation of "Visitation"
At its core, "Visitation" is a poem about the power of memory to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Doty's use of metaphor and imagery creates a sense of fluidity and movement that suggests that memories are not static, but rather constantly evolving and shifting.
The poem is also an exploration of the universal experience of loss, and the way in which memories of those we have lost can become a physical presence in our lives. The use of sensual language in the second section of the poem emphasizes the physicality of memory, suggesting that it is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible force that can be felt in the body.
Ultimately, "Visitation" is a meditation on the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and memory in a way that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mark Doty's "Visitation" is a masterpiece of modern literature that captures the essence of human experience. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and sensuality, the poem explores themes of memory, loss, and love in a way that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Its message is both powerful and poignant, reminding us that we are all connected by the river of memory, and that our shared experiences of loss and love are what make us human.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into "Visitation" and experience its beauty for yourself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Visitation: A Poem of Profound Emotion and Reflection
Mark Doty’s Visitation is a poem that captures the essence of grief and loss in a way that is both poignant and profound. The poem is a meditation on the death of a loved one and the ways in which we try to come to terms with that loss. Doty’s use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey complex emotions in a few short lines is truly remarkable.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream in which his deceased partner visits him. The dream is vivid and intense, and the speaker is overwhelmed by the emotions it evokes. He describes his partner’s presence as “a weight, a depth, a dark / radiance” that fills the room. This imagery is powerful, and it conveys the sense of loss and longing that the speaker feels.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the ways in which he has tried to cope with his partner’s death. He describes how he has tried to fill the void left by his partner’s absence with other things, such as work and travel. However, he realizes that these things are ultimately unsatisfying, and that nothing can truly replace the love and companionship that he has lost.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of death itself. He describes death as “a kind of forgetting,” a state in which we are no longer able to remember or be remembered. This is a powerful insight, and it speaks to the fear that many of us have about death – that we will be forgotten, that our lives will have meant nothing.
However, the poem does not end on a note of despair. Instead, the speaker finds solace in the memory of his partner, and in the knowledge that their love will continue to exist, even in death. He describes how he can still feel his partner’s presence, even though he is no longer physically with him. This is a beautiful and comforting thought, and it speaks to the power of love to transcend even death itself.
Overall, Visitation is a poem that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. It speaks to the experience of loss and grief in a way that is both honest and compassionate. Doty’s use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey complex emotions in a few short lines is truly remarkable. This is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one, and it is a testament to the power of love to endure even in the face of death.
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