'In Memory of M. B.' by Anna Akhmatova

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Here is my gift, not roses on your grave,
not sticks of burning incense.
You lived aloof, maintaining to the end
your magnificent disdain.
You drank wine, and told the wittiest jokes,
and suffocated inside stifling walls.
Alone you let the terrible stranger in,
and stayed with her alone.

Now you're gone, and nobody says a word
about your troubled and exalted life.
Only my voice, like a flute, will mourn
at your dumb funeral feast.
Oh, who would have dared believe that half-crazed I,
I, sick with grief for the buried past,
I, smoldering on a slow fire,
having lost everything and forgotten all,
would be fated to commemorate a man
so full of strength and will and bright inventions,
who only yesterday it seems, chatted with me,
hiding the tremor of his mortal pain.


Translated by Stanley Kunitz (with Max Hayward)

Editor 1 Interpretation

In Memory of M. B. by Anna Akhmatova: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that left you with a sense of longing, sadness, and reverence for the past? That is how I felt when I read "In Memory of M. B." by Anna Akhmatova. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the memory of a loved one, and it captures the essence of grief, loss, and remembrance in a lyrical and poignant manner. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of the poem and explore the nuances that make it a classic of Russian literature.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the background and context in which it was written. Anna Akhmatova was a prominent Russian poet of the 20th century, and she is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures of her time. Her work often dealt with themes of love, loss, and suffering, and she was known for her lyrical and elegant style of writing.

"In Memory of M. B." was written in 1961, when Akhmatova was in her seventies. The poem is a tribute to her friend and fellow poet, Mikhail Zenkevich, who had recently passed away. Zenkevich was a close friend of Akhmatova's, and his death had a profound impact on her. In this poem, she reflects on their friendship and mourns his loss, while also exploring larger themes of mortality, memory, and the passage of time.

Themes

One of the central themes of "In Memory of M. B." is grief and loss. Akhmatova's elegiac tone and imagery create a sense of mourning throughout the poem, as she reflects on the death of her friend and the pain of separation. She writes:

I know that you’re not lying in the earth,
But are in me, in this verse, and in the air,
In the oak that has come back to stony earth
As if to die again a century from now.

These lines capture the sense of loss and absence that Akhmatova feels, as she realizes that her friend is no longer with her in a physical sense. However, she also suggests that his memory and spirit live on, both within her and in the natural world around her. This idea of immortality through memory is a recurring motif in the poem, and it speaks to Akhmatova's belief in the power of art to transcend death.

Another important theme in the poem is the passage of time. Akhmatova's use of natural imagery, particularly the oak tree, creates a sense of the cyclical nature of life and death. She writes:

And that one voice, the Kremlin’s voice, is still
Proclaiming, by name, the unreturning ones.
But what name can the Muse give to you,
Immutable enchantment of the centuries?

These lines suggest that while human life is fleeting and temporary, the forces of nature and history continue on, with the Kremlin's voice still proclaiming the names of the dead. However, Akhmatova also suggests that there is something eternal and unchanging about the beauty and power of art, which can transcend time and remain a source of inspiration and comfort for generations to come.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "In Memory of M. B." is its vivid and evocative imagery. Akhmatova uses a range of natural and historical images to create a sense of the passing of time and the transience of human life. For example, she writes:

You’re not even ash, you powder,
You’re not even a shade, but
What is left from the dusk and dawn
Of blessed and unrepeatable days.

These lines suggest that Zenkevich's memory is almost intangible, like dust or shade, but also that it is part of a larger cycle of day and night that has been repeated countless times throughout history. Similarly, the image of the oak tree, which appears several times in the poem, represents both the endurance and fragility of life:

In the oak that has come back to stony earth
As if to die again a century from now.

This image captures the sense of renewal and rebirth that is often associated with nature, but also the sense of inevitability and mortality that accompanies it.

Language and Style

Akhmatova's language and style in "In Memory of M. B." are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and musicality. The poem is written in free verse, with a loose and natural rhythm that mimics the ebb and flow of time. Akhmatova's use of repetition, particularly in the final stanza, creates a sense of closure and resolution:

I know the power of your bright star
Can never be extinguished,
And that you live on in your immortal art,
In every line that you have written.

These lines suggest that Zenkevich's memory and legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, and that his art will remain a testament to his enduring spirit.

Conclusion

"In Memory of M. B." is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of grief, loss, and remembrance. Through her use of vivid imagery, lyrical language, and elegiac tone, Anna Akhmatova creates a powerful meditation on mortality, memory, and the enduring power of art. This poem is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of Russia's greatest poets, and a reminder of the transcendent power of literature to touch our hearts and souls.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

In Memory of M. B. is a classic poem written by Anna Akhmatova, one of the most prominent Russian poets of the 20th century. The poem is a tribute to her friend, Mikhail Bulgakov, a famous Russian writer who passed away in 1940. The poem is a poignant reflection on the nature of friendship, loss, and the power of memory.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between the poet and her friend. The first part is a description of the physical world in which the poet and her friend lived. It is a world of "grey skies" and "cold winds," a world that is both beautiful and harsh. The poet describes the "white nights" of St. Petersburg, a time when the sun never sets and the city is bathed in a soft, ethereal light. This is a world that is both familiar and strange, a world that is both comforting and unsettling.

The second part of the poem is a reflection on the nature of friendship. The poet describes her friend as a "soulmate," someone who shared her deepest thoughts and feelings. She describes the moments they spent together, the conversations they had, and the memories they shared. She speaks of the "golden days" of their friendship, a time when everything seemed possible and the world was full of promise.

But the poem also acknowledges the fragility of friendship. The poet speaks of the "dark days" when their friendship was tested, when they disagreed and argued. She speaks of the moments when they felt distant from each other, when they struggled to understand each other's perspectives. But despite these challenges, the poet affirms the enduring power of their friendship. She speaks of the "invisible bond" that connects them, a bond that transcends time and space.

The final part of the poem is a meditation on the power of memory. The poet speaks of the memories she has of her friend, memories that are both painful and beautiful. She speaks of the moments they shared, the laughter and tears they shared, and the love they shared. She speaks of the "eternal flame" of memory, a flame that burns bright even in the darkest of times.

The poem is a powerful reflection on the nature of friendship and the power of memory. It is a tribute to a friend who has passed away, but it is also a celebration of the enduring power of friendship. The poem speaks to the universal human experience of loss and grief, but it also speaks to the enduring power of love and connection.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The poet uses vivid, evocative language to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The "grey skies" and "cold winds" of the physical world are contrasted with the "golden days" of their friendship. The "white nights" of St. Petersburg are described in ethereal, otherworldly terms. The imagery creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, a sense of a world that is both lost and remembered.

The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The phrase "In memory of M. B." is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. The repetition reinforces the idea that memory is a powerful force that connects us to the past and to the people we have loved and lost.

The poem is also notable for its use of metaphor. The "eternal flame" of memory is a powerful metaphor for the enduring power of love and connection. The "invisible bond" that connects the poet and her friend is another powerful metaphor for the intangible, spiritual nature of friendship.

In conclusion, In Memory of M. B. is a classic poem that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and grief. It is a tribute to a friend who has passed away, but it is also a celebration of the enduring power of friendship. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, its use of repetition, and its powerful metaphors. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the human experience, a poem that reminds us of the power of memory and the enduring nature of love and connection.

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