'March 1' by David Lehman


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I could stare for hours
at her, the woman stepping
out of her bath, breasts
bare, towel around her waist,
before I knew she was you
in that one-bedroom in
the Village sunny and cold
that Friday we woke up
slowly & our breakfast table
arranged itself into
a still life with irises
in a vase and a peeled orange,
espresso cups and saucers
and The Necessary Angel by
Wallace Stevens, a little violet
paperback opened to page 58:
"the morality of the poet is
the morality of the right sensation."

Editor 1 Interpretation

March 1: A Deep Dive into David Lehman's Classic Poem

David Lehman's "March 1" is a poignant and evocative poem that encapsulates the beauty and promise of spring. Through vivid imagery, lyrical language, and a keen eye for detail, Lehman paints a vivid picture of the changing season and its impact on our lives. As we delve deeper into this classic poem, we'll explore the various themes and layers of meaning that make it such a timeless piece of poetry.

Overview of the Poem

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate its structure and style. "March 1" is a free verse poem that is divided into three stanzas of varying lengths. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the transition from winter to spring and the various signs of new life that are beginning to emerge. The second stanza focuses on the speaker's personal reflections on the season and the emotions it evokes. Finally, the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image of rebirth and renewal.

Overall, the poem is characterized by its vivid imagery, sensory language, and careful attention to detail. Lehman's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the beauty and vitality of spring, as well as the sense of hope and possibility that accompanies the changing season.

Themes and Meanings

At its core, "March 1" is a poem about rebirth and renewal. The changing of the seasons is a powerful symbol of transformation, and Lehman uses this symbol to explore a variety of themes related to growth, change, and new beginnings.

One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea of rebirth. Throughout the poem, Lehman uses imagery of new life and growth to convey a sense of renewal and regeneration. For example, he describes the "sprouting crocuses" and "daffodils" that are beginning to emerge from the ground, as well as the "sparrow" that is "hopping on the sidewalk" and the "green shoots" that are "pushing through the soil." These images all suggest a sense of newness and vitality, as if the world is being reborn after a long period of dormancy.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of change. The transition from winter to spring is a time of great transformation, and Lehman explores this theme through both the external changes in nature and the internal changes in the speaker's emotions. In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the various emotions that spring evokes - "longing, desire, nostalgia" - and suggests that these emotions are a natural response to the changing of the seasons. The poem thus becomes a meditation on the idea of impermanence and the inevitability of change, as well as a celebration of the beauty and richness of life in all its forms.

Analysis of Language and Imagery

One of the things that makes "March 1" such a powerful poem is Lehman's use of sensory language and vivid imagery. Throughout the poem, he creates a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations that bring the changing season to life in powerful and evocative ways.

For example, in the first stanza, Lehman uses a variety of sensory details to describe the signs of spring that are beginning to emerge. He describes the "pale sunlight" that is "filtering through the pine trees," the "crooked lines" of the "newly thawed earth," and the "sparrow" that is "hopping on the sidewalk." These details not only create a sense of place, but also evoke a sense of the season's energy and vibrancy.

Lehman's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the idea of rebirth and renewal. Throughout the poem, he uses images of growth and blossoming to suggest a sense of newness and vitality. For example, he describes the "green shoots" that are "pushing through the soil" and the "crocuses" that are "sprouting" from the ground. These images suggest a sense of life that is bursting forth after a long period of dormancy, and create a powerful sense of hope and possibility.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "March 1" is a beautifully crafted poem that uses vivid imagery and lyrical language to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the transformative power of rebirth and renewal. Through its exploration of themes such as change, impermanence, and growth, the poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the richness of human experience. Whether read as a celebration of spring's beauty or as a profound meditation on the human condition, "March 1" is a classic poem that will continue to inspire and delight readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

March 1: A Classic Poem by David Lehman

David Lehman's poem "March 1" is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. The poem is a celebration of the first day of March, and it captures the essence of the season perfectly. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line "The first day of March, bright sun and a wind." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "bright" creates an image of a sunny day, and the word "wind" suggests movement and energy. The first line is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a mood and set the scene.

The second line of the poem reads, "The trees are naked as the day they were born." This line is a metaphor for the beginning of spring. The trees are bare, just like a newborn baby, and they are waiting to be clothed in leaves and flowers. The use of the word "naked" is a powerful image that creates a sense of vulnerability and newness.

The third line of the poem reads, "The old snow is melting into pools on the sidewalk." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use imagery to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "pools" creates an image of water collecting on the sidewalk, and the word "melting" suggests movement and change.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "There is a smell of earth and wet leaves in the air." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use sensory details to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "smell" creates a sense of smell, and the words "earth" and "wet leaves" create a sense of touch and texture.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "The sky is blue and high." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a mood and set the scene. The use of the word "blue" creates an image of a clear sky, and the word "high" suggests openness and freedom.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "I am walking up Lexington Avenue, feeling rich." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a mood and set the scene. The use of the word "walking" suggests movement and energy, and the word "rich" suggests a sense of abundance and prosperity.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "And the wind is blowing my hair back." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use sensory details to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "blowing" creates a sense of movement, and the words "hair back" create a sense of touch and texture.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "And I am glad to be alive." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a mood and set the scene. The use of the word "glad" suggests a sense of happiness and contentment, and the phrase "to be alive" suggests a sense of gratitude and appreciation.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "It is the first day of March, and there are many more to come." This line is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a mood and set the scene. The use of the phrase "many more to come" suggests a sense of anticipation and excitement, and the phrase "first day of March" suggests a sense of new beginnings and fresh starts.

In conclusion, David Lehman's poem "March 1" is a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of the season perfectly. The poem is a celebration of the first day of March, and it uses words to create vivid images in the reader's mind. The poem is a perfect example of how a writer can use words to create a mood and set the scene. The poem is a reminder that spring is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, and it is a time to be grateful for the simple things in life.

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