'A Visitor' by Mary Oliver
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My father, for example,
who was young once
and blue-eyed,
returns
on the darkest of nights
to the porch and knocks
wildly at the door,
and if I answer
I must be prepared
for his waxy face,
for his lower lip
swollen with bitterness.
And so, for a long time,
I did not answer,
but slept fitfully
between his hours of rapping.
But finally there came the night
when I rose out of my sheets
and stumbled down the hall.
The door fell open
and I knew I was saved
and could bear him,
pathetic and hollow,
with even the least of his dreams
frozen inside him,
and the meanness gone.
And I greeted him and asked him
into the house,
and lit the lamp,
and looked into his blank eyes
in which at last
I saw what a child must love,
I saw what love might have done
had we loved in time.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Visitor by Mary Oliver: A Poem of Connection and Loss
Mary Oliver is one of the most beloved poets of our time, a master of the natural world and its creatures. Her poem, "A Visitor," is no exception. In this work, she explores themes of connection, loss, and the fleeting beauty of life. Oliver's use of language and imagery creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the subject, bringing the reader into the moment and allowing them to experience the beauty and the pain of life.
The Poem
The poem begins with a description of a visitor, a bird that has come to rest on a windowsill. The bird is described as "small and dark" with "a sharp beak." The speaker observes the bird for a moment, watching as it fluffs its feathers and looks around. The speaker then reflects on the fragility of life, saying, "we are all visitors here, / in this time, in this place, / in this moment that lasts a blink of an eye."
Oliver's use of the word "visitor" is significant. It implies a sense of transience and impermanence, reminding us that all things, including life itself, are temporary. The bird serves as a metaphor for life, reminding us that we are all visitors in this world, passing through for a brief moment before moving on.
The speaker then reflects on how easy it is to become attached to the things we love, saying "it is hard not to love / what is mortal." This line captures the essence of the human experience, the longing for connection and the struggle to come to terms with the inevitable loss that comes with it.
The poem then shifts focus, and the speaker reflects on the beauty of the world around them. They describe the "wonderful sights" that they have seen, from "mountains and oceans / to the tiniest of flowers." The speaker marvels at the complexity and diversity of the natural world, saying, "how could we not be amazed / at the intricacy, / the sheer detail / of everything that is?"
Oliver's use of imagery in this section is particularly striking. The vivid descriptions of the natural world create a sense of wonder and awe, drawing the reader into the moment and allowing them to experience the beauty of the world through the speaker's eyes.
The poem then returns to the bird, and the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life. They say, "we are all visitors here, / in this time, in this place, / in this moment that lasts a blink of an eye." The repetition of this line serves to emphasize the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the bird once more. They say, "now the visitor flies away, / leaving behind a memory / of beauty and grace." This line captures the bittersweet nature of life, the beauty and the pain that come with it. The bird serves as a reminder to enjoy the fleeting moments of life, to appreciate the beauty around us while we have it.
Interpretation
"A Visitor" is a poem about connection and loss, about the beauty and fragility of life. Oliver uses the metaphor of a bird to represent life and the transience of our existence. The bird serves as a reminder to cherish the moments we have and to appreciate the beauty around us while we can.
The poem is also about the wonder and complexity of the natural world. Oliver's use of vivid imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder, drawing the reader into the moment and allowing them to experience the beauty of the world through the speaker's eyes.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The repeated line, "we are all visitors here, / in this time, in this place, / in this moment that lasts a blink of an eye," serves to emphasize the transience of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
The poem also explores the human experience of attachment and loss. The line, "it is hard not to love / what is mortal," captures the essence of this experience, the longing for connection and the struggle to come to terms with the inevitable loss that comes with it.
Overall, "A Visitor" is a poem that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. Oliver's use of language and imagery creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the subject, bringing the reader into the moment and allowing them to experience the beauty and the pain of life. It is a poem that reminds us to appreciate the fleeting moments of life, to cherish the beauty around us while we can, and to embrace the transience of our existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Visitor" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. Oliver's use of language and imagery creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the subject, drawing the reader into the moment and allowing them to experience the beauty and the pain of life. The poem serves as a reminder to cherish the moments we have, to appreciate the beauty around us while we can, and to embrace the transience of our existence. "A Visitor" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to touch our hearts in profound ways.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Visitor: A Poem by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver is one of the most celebrated poets of our time. Her works are known for their simplicity, clarity, and profound insights into the natural world. In her poem "A Visitor," Oliver explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a meditation on the transience of existence and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will explore the poem in detail and analyze its meaning and significance.
The Poem
Here is the full text of the poem:
My father, for example, who was young once and blue-eyed, returns on the darkest of nights to the porch and knocks wildly at the door, and if I answer I must be prepared for his waxy face, for his lower lip swollen with bitterness. And so, for a long time, I did not answer, but slept fitfully between his hours of rapping. But finally there came the night when I rose out of my sheets and stumbled down the hall. The door fell open and I knew I was saved and could bear him, pathetic and forbearing, all the rest of my days.
Analysis
The poem begins with a simple statement: "My father, for example, who was young once and blue-eyed." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker's father, who was once young and vibrant, now returns to her on the darkest of nights, knocking wildly at the door. The father's appearance is described as "waxy" and his lower lip is swollen with bitterness. This description suggests that the father has aged and is now a shadow of his former self.
The speaker is hesitant to answer the door, knowing that her father's appearance will be a painful reminder of his mortality. She sleeps fitfully between his hours of rapping, avoiding the inevitable confrontation with his mortality. However, there comes a night when she can no longer avoid the truth. She rises out of her sheets and stumbles down the hall to answer the door.
The door falls open, and the speaker knows that she is saved. The word "saved" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker has come to terms with her father's mortality and has found a way to accept it. She can now bear him, "pathetic and forbearing," for the rest of her days.
The poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The father's appearance on the darkest of nights is a metaphor for death, which comes to us all eventually. The speaker's reluctance to answer the door is a reflection of our own reluctance to confront our mortality. We would rather avoid the subject and live in denial than face the truth.
However, the poem suggests that there is a way to come to terms with our mortality. We must accept the inevitability of death and find a way to bear it. The speaker's acceptance of her father's mortality is a sign of her own maturity and wisdom. She has come to understand that death is a natural part of life and that we must all face it eventually.
Significance
The poem "A Visitor" is significant for several reasons. First, it is a powerful meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It reminds us that we are all mortal and that we must come to terms with our own mortality. Second, the poem is a reflection on the relationship between parents and children. The father's appearance on the darkest of nights is a reminder of the bond between parent and child, and the speaker's acceptance of her father's mortality is a sign of her own maturity and wisdom.
Finally, the poem is significant because of its simplicity and clarity. Mary Oliver's poetry is known for its simplicity and its ability to convey profound insights into the natural world. "A Visitor" is a perfect example of this. The poem is short and simple, yet it conveys a powerful message about life and death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Visitor" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a meditation on the transience of existence and the inevitability of death. It reminds us that we are all mortal and that we must come to terms with our own mortality. The poem is also a reflection on the relationship between parents and children, and the speaker's acceptance of her father's mortality is a sign of her own maturity and wisdom. Finally, the poem is significant because of its simplicity and clarity, which are hallmarks of Mary Oliver's poetry.
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