'Statuary' by Nick Flynn
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Bees may be trusted, always,
to discover the best, nay, the only
human, solution. Let me cite
an instance; an event, that,
though occurring in nature, is still
in itself wholly abnormal. I refer
to the manner in which the bees
will dispose of a mouse
or a slug
that may happen to have found its way
into the hive.
The intruder killed,
they have to deal with
the body,
which will very soon poison
their dwelling. If it be impossible
for them to expel or dismember it,
they will proceed methodically
& hermetically
to enclose it in a veritable sepulcher
of propolis & wax,
which will tower fantastically
above the ordinary monuments
of the city.
*
When we die
our bodies powder, our bodies
the vessel & the vessel
empties.
Our dying does not fill
the hive with the stench
of dying. But outside
the world hungers.
A cockroach, stung,
can be dragged back out.
A careless child
forced a snail inside with a stick once.
We waxed over the orifice of its shell
sealing the creature in. And here,
the bottom of the comb,
a mouse,
driven in by winter & lack.
Its pawing woke us. We stung it
dead.
Even before it died it reeked - worse
the moment it ceased
twitching.
Now everyday
we crawl over it
to pass outside,
the wax form of what was
staring out, its airless sleep,
the mouse we built
to warn the rest from us.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Statuary" by Nick Flynn: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
"Statuary" by Nick Flynn is a fascinating poem that explores the themes of memory, time, and the transience of human existence through the metaphor of statues. The poem is a masterful work of literary art that combines vivid imagery, powerful language, and evocative symbolism to create a deeply moving and thought-provoking piece of poetry.
At its core, "Statuary" is a meditation on the nature of memory and the ways in which we try to preserve the past. The poem opens with a description of the statues in a museum, frozen in time and seemingly eternal. The speaker marvels at their beauty and their ability to capture a moment in time, but he also notes that they are "only stone" and that they too will eventually crumble away into dust.
The theme of time and its fleeting nature is a central motif in the poem. The statues are described as "caught in the act of vanishing," and the speaker notes that time "will not stop for stone." This sense of impermanence is emphasized by the repeated use of the word "gone," which echoes throughout the poem like a mournful refrain.
As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from the external world of statues to the internal world of the speaker's memories. The speaker describes how he too has tried to preserve the past through his own personal "statuary" - photographs, letters, and other mementos. But like the statues in the museum, these objects are also subject to the ravages of time, and the speaker is left with only fragments of memories that are "fading, fading, gone."
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful meditation on the transience of human existence. The speaker imagines himself as a statue, frozen in time and space, but ultimately destined to crumble away into dust like all the other statues in the museum. It is a haunting and powerful image that speaks to the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death.
Throughout "Statuary," Nick Flynn uses vivid and evocative language to create a rich and immersive world that draws the reader in and holds them captive. The descriptions of the statues are particularly vivid, with lines like "the lady in the corner / whose veil is turning to dust" and "the boy, forever / caught in the act of falling" painting a vivid picture of the museum and its inhabitants.
The use of symbolism is also particularly effective in the poem. The statues themselves are symbols of the past, frozen in time and seemingly eternal, but ultimately subject to the ravages of time. The speaker's personal "statuary" - his photographs and other mementos - are symbols of his own attempts to hold onto the past, but ultimately they too are subject to the same forces of time and decay.
In addition to its imagery and symbolism, "Statuary" is also a masterful work of poetic form. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines, and the repetition of certain words and phrases - particularly "gone" - creates a powerful sense of rhythm and momentum that drives the poem forward. The use of enjambment is also particularly effective, creating a sense of continuity and fluidity that echoes the theme of time and its unstoppable flow.
In conclusion, "Statuary" by Nick Flynn is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and symbolism that explores the themes of memory, time, and the transience of human existence. The poem is a powerful meditation on the ways in which we try to hold onto the past, and the inevitability of our own mortality. Through its vivid language, evocative imagery, and potent symbolism, "Statuary" creates a deeply moving and thought-provoking work of literary art that is sure to stay with the reader long after they have finished reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Statuary: An Ode to the Power of Art
Nick Flynn's poem Statuary is a masterpiece that celebrates the power of art to transcend time and space. The poem is a tribute to the statues that adorn our cities, parks, and museums, and the emotions they evoke in us. In this article, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a description of a statue in a park. The statue is of a woman, and she is "perfectly still, / as if she were waiting for someone / to tell her what to do." The statue is a symbol of the power of art to freeze a moment in time and capture the essence of a person or an event. The woman in the statue is frozen in time, but her beauty and grace are eternal.
The poem then moves on to describe other statues in the park, each with its own story to tell. There is a statue of a man on a horse, "his eyes fixed on some distant horizon / that only he can see." The statue is a symbol of the power of art to inspire us to dream and to reach for the stars. The man on the horse is a hero, a symbol of courage and determination.
The poem then moves on to describe statues in other places, such as museums and public squares. Each statue is a symbol of something different, but they all share a common theme: the power of art to move us emotionally. There is a statue of a mother and child, "her arms wrapped around him / as if she could protect him from anything." The statue is a symbol of the power of art to evoke feelings of love and protection.
The poem then moves on to describe a statue of a soldier, "his eyes fixed on the ground / as if he were searching for something / he had lost long ago." The statue is a symbol of the power of art to evoke feelings of loss and sacrifice. The soldier is a hero, but he is also a victim of war, a symbol of the human cost of conflict.
The poem then moves on to describe a statue of a dancer, "her body frozen in mid-air / as if she were about to take flight." The statue is a symbol of the power of art to evoke feelings of freedom and joy. The dancer is a symbol of the human spirit, a reminder that we are capable of great beauty and grace.
The poem ends with a reflection on the power of art to transcend time and space. The statues in the poem are frozen in time, but they are also alive in our imaginations. They are a reminder of the power of art to connect us to the past, to inspire us in the present, and to give us hope for the future.
In terms of language, the poem is rich in imagery and metaphor. The statues in the poem are not just objects, but symbols of something greater. The woman in the first stanza is not just a statue, but a symbol of beauty and grace. The man on the horse is not just a statue, but a symbol of heroism and determination. The mother and child are not just a statue, but a symbol of love and protection. The soldier is not just a statue, but a symbol of sacrifice and loss. The dancer is not just a statue, but a symbol of freedom and joy.
The poem is also rich in sound and rhythm. The lines are short and crisp, and the words are carefully chosen to create a sense of movement and energy. The poem is like a dance, with each stanza building on the one before it, and each line leading to the next.
In terms of themes, the poem is about the power of art to move us emotionally and to connect us to something greater than ourselves. The statues in the poem are not just objects, but symbols of the human experience. They remind us of our capacity for beauty, courage, love, sacrifice, and joy. They are a reminder that we are not alone in the world, that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
In conclusion, Statuary is a masterpiece that celebrates the power of art to transcend time and space. The poem is a tribute to the statues that adorn our cities, parks, and museums, and the emotions they evoke in us. The poem is rich in imagery, metaphor, sound, and rhythm, and it is a reminder of the power of art to move us emotionally and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
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