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'January 2' by David Lehman


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The old war is over the new one has begun
between drivers and pedestrians on a Friday
in New York light is the variable and structure
the content according to Rodrigo Moynihan's
self-portraits at the Robert Miller Gallery where
the painter is serially pictured holding a canvas,
painting his mirror image, shirtless in summer,
with a nude, etc., it's two o'clock and I'm walking
at top speed from the huddled tourists yearning to be
a mass to Les Halles on Park and 28th for a Salade
Niçoise I've just watched The Singing Detective all
six hours of it and can't get it out of my mind,
the scarecrow that turns into Hitler, the sad-eyed
father wearing a black arm-band, the yellow umbrellas
as Bing Crosby's voice comes out of Michael Gambon's
mouth, "you've got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive,
e-lim-inate the negative" advice as sound today
as in 1945 though it also remains true that
the only thing to do with good advice is pass it on

Editor 1 Interpretation

January 2 by David Lehman: An Exciting Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever wondered how a simple day can mean so much? How can we extract meaning from a day that seems so ordinary? David Lehman's poem "January 2" is a masterful exploration of this idea. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and uncover its many layers.

Context

Before we jump into the poem, let us first understand the context in which it was written. David Lehman is an American poet, critic, and editor. He was born in 1948 and has written several books of poetry, including "The Daily Mirror: A Journal in Poetry" and "Poems in the Manner Of." "January 2" is a part of his book "The Daily Mirror," which is a collection of poems written in the form of diary entries.

Poem Analysis

"January 2" is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, despite its brevity, it is packed with meaning. Let us take a closer look at the poem.

January 2

The day lolls in its cradle
like a pearl in its oyster
or a girl in her bed, eager
to be taken by love. We
look out the window as if
expecting to see the future.

The poem begins with the title "January 2." This date is significant, as it marks the second day of the new year. It is a time when people have just finished celebrating the end of the old year and are looking forward to the new one. The poem captures this sense of anticipation and expectation.

The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. "The day lolls in its cradle" suggests a sense of comfort and ease. The day is not rushed or hurried; it is taking its time. This sets up a contrast with the last line of the poem, where we are "expecting to see the future." There is a sense of urgency and anxiety in this line, as if we are looking for something to happen.

The second line of the poem compares the day to a pearl in its oyster. This metaphor suggests that the day is precious and valuable. It is something to be treasured and appreciated. The third line compares the day to a girl in her bed, eager to be taken by love. This metaphor suggests that the day is full of potential and possibility. It is waiting to be seized and taken advantage of.

The fourth line of the poem brings us back to the present moment. "We" refers to the speaker and the reader, who are both looking out the window. This line suggests that we are waiting for something to happen. We are not sure what it is, but we are expecting it.

The final line of the poem is the most enigmatic. "Expecting to see the future" suggests that we are hoping for some kind of revelation or insight. We are looking for something that will give us a sense of direction or purpose. However, the fact that we are "looking out the window" suggests that we are not sure where to look. We are searching for something that may not even exist.

Interpretation

So what does this all mean? What is David Lehman trying to tell us with this poem? There are several possible interpretations, depending on how we read the poem.

One interpretation is that the poem is about the human condition. We are all like "January 2," waiting for something to happen. We are all searching for meaning and purpose in our lives. However, like the speaker in the poem, we are not sure where to look. We are expecting to see the future, but we are not sure what it looks like.

Another interpretation is that the poem is about the nature of time. Time is often compared to a river, constantly flowing forward. However, in this poem, time is compared to a day that is "lolling in its cradle." This suggests that time is not always rushing forward. There are moments when time seems to stand still, when we are waiting for something to happen.

A third interpretation is that the poem is about the creative process. The day is compared to a pearl in its oyster and a girl in her bed, both of which suggest the idea of gestation. The day is waiting to be born, to be transformed into something new. This could be a metaphor for the act of creation, whether it is writing a poem or painting a picture. The artist is waiting for inspiration to strike, for something to emerge from the depths of the unconscious.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "January 2" is a fascinating poem that explores the idea of waiting and expectation. The poem is full of metaphors and imagery that suggest a sense of comfort and ease, as well as a sense of urgency and anxiety. The poem can be interpreted in several ways, depending on how we read it. However, one thing is clear: David Lehman has captured something essential about the human experience in this short, powerful poem.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

January 2: A Poem of Reflection and Renewal

David Lehman's poem "January 2" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that captures the essence of the new year. The poem is a reflection on the past year and a call to action for the year ahead. It is a reminder that we have the power to change our lives and make the most of the time we have.

The poem begins with the line "The year is new again," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It is a reminder that we have a fresh start, a new beginning, and a chance to make things right. The line also suggests that time is cyclical, and that every year we have the opportunity to reflect on the past and make changes for the future.

The next line, "The snow is beautiful," is a metaphor for the purity and innocence of the new year. The snow is a blank canvas, waiting to be painted with our hopes and dreams. It is a reminder that we have the power to shape our lives and create the future we want.

The poem then takes a turn, with the line "The world is still dangerous." This line is a reminder that despite the beauty and promise of the new year, there are still challenges and dangers that we must face. It is a call to action, a reminder that we must be vigilant and work to make the world a better place.

The next line, "But we have survived," is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a reminder that we have faced challenges before and have come out the other side. It is a call to action, a reminder that we have the strength and courage to face whatever comes our way.

The poem then takes a more personal turn, with the line "We have our health, our friends, our work." This line is a reminder of the blessings we have in our lives. It is a call to gratitude, a reminder that we should be thankful for what we have and not take it for granted.

The next line, "We have our dreams, our memories, our love," is a reminder of the things that truly matter in life. It is a call to focus on what is important, to cherish the people and experiences that make life worth living.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, with the line "We have our doubts, our fears, our regrets." This line is a reminder that we are human, that we make mistakes and have flaws. It is a call to acceptance, a reminder that we should embrace our imperfections and learn from our mistakes.

The next line, "We have our hopes, our plans, our goals," is a reminder that we have the power to shape our future. It is a call to action, a reminder that we should set goals and work towards them with determination and perseverance.

The poem then takes a more spiritual turn, with the line "We have our faith, our prayers, our God." This line is a reminder that we are not alone, that we have a higher power to turn to in times of need. It is a call to faith, a reminder that we should trust in something greater than ourselves.

The final line of the poem, "We have our lives, and we will live them," is a powerful statement of purpose. It is a reminder that we have the power to shape our lives and make the most of the time we have. It is a call to action, a reminder that we should live our lives with purpose and passion.

In conclusion, David Lehman's poem "January 2" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that captures the essence of the new year. It is a reminder that we have the power to change our lives and make the most of the time we have. It is a call to action, a reminder that we should live our lives with purpose and passion. So as we embark on this new year, let us remember the words of this poem and make the most of the time we have.

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