'This Morning' by Raymond Carver
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This morning was something. A little snow
lay on the ground. The sun floated in a clear
blue sky. The sea was blue, and blue-green,
as far as the eye could see.
Scarcely a ripple. Calm. I dressed and went
for a walk -- determined not to return
until I took in what Nature had to offer.
I passed close to some old, bent-over trees.
Crossed a field strewn with rocks
where snow had drifted. Kept going
until I reached the bluff.
Where I gazed at the sea, and the sky, and
the gulls wheeling over the white beach
far below. All lovely. All bathed in a pure
cold light. But, as usual, my thoughts
began to wander. I had to will
myself to see what I was seeing
and nothing else. I had to tell myself this is what
mattered, not the other. (And I did see it,
for a minute or two!) For a minute or two
it crowded out the usual musings on
what was right, and what was wrong -- duty,
tender memories, thoughts of death, how I should treat
with my former wife. All the things
I hoped would go away this morning.
The stuff I live with every day. What
I've trampled on in order to stay alive.
But for a minute or two I did forget
myself and everything else. I know I did.
For when I turned back i didn't know
where I was. Until some birds rose up
from the gnarled trees. And flew
in the direction I needed to be going.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty in Simplicity: An Interpretation of Raymond Carver's "This Morning"
Have you ever woken up to a new day and felt the beauty of the world around you? Have you ever experienced the sense of awe and wonder that comes with a new beginning? Raymond Carver's poem "This Morning" captures the essence of these feelings in a beautifully simple way.
With just a few short lines, Carver takes us on a journey that begins with the simple act of opening one's eyes in the morning and ends with a profound realization of the interconnectedness of all things. Let's take a closer look at this poem and explore its deeper meanings.
The Opening Lines
The poem begins with the lines:
"This morning I sat on the front porch
And watched the hummingbird"
These lines immediately set the scene for the rest of the poem. We can imagine the speaker sitting on their porch, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea, taking in the early morning air. The hummingbird, with its rapid wings and delicate beauty, captures the speaker's attention and draws them into the moment.
But there is more to these lines than just a simple description. The fact that the speaker is sitting on their porch suggests a sense of calm and peace. The front porch is a place of refuge, a space where one can sit and reflect on the world around them. The act of watching the hummingbird is a form of meditation, a way of focusing the mind on the present moment.
The Beauty of the Hummingbird
The next few lines of the poem describe the hummingbird:
"The color of green fire. She worked her wings
In a figure eight. Sat awhile, then Hovered away."
Carver's descriptions of the hummingbird are simple yet powerful. The "color of green fire" is a stunning image that captures the iridescent beauty of the bird's feathers. The way the hummingbird "worked her wings in a figure eight" is a nod to the bird's incredible maneuverability and speed. And the fact that the bird "hovered away" suggests a sense of freedom and independence.
But there is more to the hummingbird than just its physical beauty. The bird is also a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Hummingbirds are able to survive in harsh environments, where other birds cannot. They are also able to migrate long distances, navigating by instinct alone. In this way, the hummingbird represents the ability to overcome adversity and find one's way in the world.
The Connection to Nature
The final lines of the poem bring the speaker's experience full circle:
"It was like one of the sapphires
When I used to go digging.
It was like listening to a radio with the
The stations all messed up
So that music and talk and weather
Were all coming through at the same time."
These lines suggest a sense of interconnectedness between the speaker, the hummingbird, and the natural world. The sapphire, a precious gemstone, is a symbol of the earth's beauty and bounty. The act of digging for sapphires connects the speaker to the earth and reminds them of the importance of the natural world.
The metaphor of the radio with the stations all messed up is a powerful one. It suggests that the speaker is hearing multiple messages at the same time, but that all of these messages are part of a larger whole. The music, talk, and weather are all part of the same universe, and the speaker is able to tune in to this universe through their experience with the hummingbird.
Conclusion
Raymond Carver's "This Morning" is a masterful example of how simplicity can be used to capture profound truths about the human experience. By focusing on the simple act of watching a hummingbird, Carver is able to explore themes of meditation, resilience, and interconnectedness. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and confusion, there is beauty to be found in the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This Morning by Raymond Carver: A Masterpiece of Minimalism
If you're a fan of minimalist literature, you've probably heard of Raymond Carver. He's one of the most celebrated writers of the genre, and his poem "This Morning" is a perfect example of his style. In just a few lines, Carver manages to convey a deep sense of emotion and meaning. In this article, we'll take a closer look at "This Morning" and explore what makes it such a powerful piece of writing.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:
This morning I smoked a cigarette and went back to bed. The world outside seemed a long way off.
It was quiet and it felt good.
Sometimes you have to take a break from all the noise.
Sometimes you have to silence your mind to hear your own voice.
At first glance, "This Morning" seems like a simple poem. It's just a few lines about smoking a cigarette and going back to bed. But as we'll see, there's a lot more going on beneath the surface.
Analysis
Let's start by looking at the structure of the poem. "This Morning" is divided into three stanzas, each with a different number of lines. The first stanza sets the scene, with the speaker smoking a cigarette and going back to bed. The second stanza describes the feeling of being alone and quiet, and the third stanza offers a reflection on the importance of taking a break from the noise of the world.
One of the most striking things about "This Morning" is its use of imagery. Carver is a master of using simple, everyday objects to convey deep emotions. In this poem, the cigarette and the bed are both powerful symbols. The cigarette represents a moment of indulgence, a small pleasure that the speaker allows themselves. The bed, on the other hand, represents a place of safety and comfort. By combining these two images, Carver creates a sense of relaxation and contentment.
The world outside, meanwhile, is described as "a long way off." This phrase suggests a sense of distance and detachment. The speaker is not interested in what's happening outside their bedroom. They're focused on their own thoughts and feelings.
The second stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. It's a single sentence, but it conveys so much emotion. The speaker describes the quiet as "good," suggesting that they find comfort in being alone. This feeling is reinforced by the repetition of the word "quiet." By using this word twice, Carver emphasizes the importance of silence and stillness.
The final stanza is where the poem's message becomes clear. The speaker suggests that sometimes you have to take a break from the noise of the world in order to hear your own voice. This is a powerful message, and one that's particularly relevant in today's fast-paced, always-connected world. We're constantly bombarded with information and distractions, and it can be hard to find a moment of peace. But as Carver suggests, it's important to take that moment when you can.
Conclusion
"This Morning" is a masterpiece of minimalist poetry. In just a few lines, Carver manages to convey a deep sense of emotion and meaning. The poem's use of imagery and repetition is particularly effective, creating a sense of relaxation and detachment. And its message about the importance of taking a break from the noise of the world is one that's as relevant today as it was when the poem was written.
If you're a fan of minimalist literature, or if you're just looking for a moment of quiet contemplation, "This Morning" is a poem you won't want to miss.
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