'Café Talk' by Thomas Blackburn
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'Of course,' I said, 'we cannot hope to find
What we are looking for in anyone;
They glitter, maybe, but are not the sun,
This pebble here, that bit of apple rind.
Still, it's the Alpine sun that makes them burn,
And what we're looking for, some indirect
Glint of itself each of us may reflect,
And so shed light about us as we turn.'
Sideways she looked and said, 'How you go on!'
And was the stone and rind, their shinings gone.
'It is some hard dry scale we must break through,
A deadness round the life. I cannot make
That pebble shine. Its clarity must take
Sunlight unto itself and prove it true.
It is our childishness that clutters up
With scales out of the past a present speech,
So that the sun's white finger cannot reach
An adult prism.'
'Will they never stop,
Your words?' she said and settled to the dark.
'But we use words, we cannot grunt or bark,
Use any surer means to make that first
Sharp glare of origin again appear
Through the marred glass,' I cried, 'but can you hear?'
'Quite well, you needn't shout.' I felt the thirst
Coil back into my body till it shook,
And, 'Are you cold?' she said, then ceased to look
And picked a bit of cotton from her dress.
Out in the square a child began to cry,
What was not said buzzed round us like a fly.
I knew quite well that silence was my cue,
But jabbered out, 'This meeting place we need,
If we can't find it, still the desire may feed
And strengthen on the acts it cannot do.
By suffered depredations we may grow
To bear our energies just strong enough,
And at the last through perdurable stuff
A little of their radiance may show:
I f we keep still.' Then she, 'It's getting late.'
A waiter came and took away a plate.
Then from the darkness an accordion;
'These pauses, love, perhaps in them, made free,
Life slips out of its gross machinery,
And turns upon itself in unison.'
It was quite dark now you must understand
And something of a red mouth on a wall
Joined with the music and the alcohol
And pushed me to the fingers of her hand.
Well, there it was, itself and quite complete,
Accountable, small bones there were and meat.
It did not press on mine or shrink away,
And, since no outgone need can long invest
Oblivion with a living interest,
I drew back and had no more words to say.
Outside the streets were like us and quite dead.
Yet anything more suited to my will,
I can't imagine, than our very still
Return to no place;
As the darkness shed
Increasing whiteness on the far icefall,
A growth of light there was; and that is all.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
Café Talk: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever sat in a bustling café, sipping on a warm cup of coffee, and eavesdropped on the conversations around you? Thomas Blackburn's poem "Café Talk" takes us on a journey through the thoughts and discussions of the patrons of a café. This poem is a masterful example of how language can evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, imagery, and structure of "Café Talk."
Themes
At the heart of this poem is the theme of communication. The patrons of the café are engaged in various conversations, and Blackburn highlights the ways in which verbal communication can be both messy and beautiful. The poem also touches on the theme of urban life - the constant buzz and movement of the city permeates the atmosphere of the café. The line "It's a city full of people hurrying towards something" (line 23) captures the frenetic energy of city life.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of relationships. The patrons of the café are engaging in conversations with each other, and we get a sense of the various dynamics at play. The speaker observes a couple in conversation and muses on the nature of their relationship - "To see them sometimes smiling and sometimes not" (line 36) - a reminder that relationships are complex and multifaceted.
Finally, "Café Talk" also deals with the theme of individuality. Each patron of the café has their own unique voice and perspective. Blackburn captures this idea in the lines "All the people with different tones of voice / And different minds" (lines 5-6), reminding us that even in a bustling city, each person is an individual with their own thoughts and ideas.
Imagery
Blackburn uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of atmosphere. In the opening lines, he sets the scene with the image of "the noise of cups and spoons, the hissing / Of the coffee machine" (lines 1-2). This sensory description immediately transports us to the café, where we can almost hear the clinking of cups and the whirring of the coffee machine.
Another striking image in the poem is that of the couple in conversation. Blackburn describes them as "A man and a girl talking and talking" (line 29), and we can almost see them leaning in towards each other, lost in conversation. The image of the couple is juxtaposed with that of the "lonely man" (line 31) who sits alone, reminding us of the various forms that human connection can take.
Finally, Blackburn uses the image of the "grey drizzle" (line 40) to evoke a sense of melancholy. The rain is a common motif in literature, often symbolising sadness or grief. In "Café Talk", the rain seems to represent the underlying sense of loneliness that permeates the poem.
Structure
The structure of "Café Talk" is deceptively simple. The poem is made up of five stanzas, each containing four lines. The lines are short - most are no longer than six or seven words - giving the poem a sense of brevity and immediacy. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or metre. This lack of formal structure allows Blackburn to capture the fluidity and messiness of human communication.
However, there is a subtle repetition that runs through the poem. The word "talking" is repeated several times, emphasising the theme of communication. The line "All the people with different tones of voice" (line 5) is echoed later in the poem with the line "All the different voices talking" (line 26). These repetitions create a sense of unity and cohesion in the poem, despite its lack of formal structure.
Interpretation
"Café Talk" is a poem that celebrates the messiness and beauty of human communication. Blackburn reminds us that even in the midst of the chaos of city life, we are all individuals with our own unique voices and perspectives. The poem also touches on the idea of loneliness and the various forms that human connection can take. The image of the couple in conversation is a reminder of the power of human connection, while the image of the lonely man reminds us of the importance of reaching out to those around us.
At its heart, "Café Talk" is a poem about the beauty of human connection. Blackburn reminds us that even in the midst of the noise and chaos of city life, there is something inherently hopeful and beautiful about the way we communicate with each other. As the poem concludes, "the sound of all the different voices / Merging into one great hum" (lines 49-50), we are left with a sense of the richness and diversity of human experience.
In conclusion
"Café Talk" is a masterful example of how language can be used to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. Blackburn's use of imagery and repetition creates a cohesive and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty of human communication. At its heart, this poem is a reminder that even in the midst of the chaos of city life, there is something inherently hopeful and beautiful about the way we connect with one another.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Café Talk: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Reflection
Thomas Blackburn's poem "Café Talk" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and reflection. The poem is a conversation between two lovers who meet in a café after a long time. The conversation is filled with nostalgia, regret, and a sense of longing for what could have been. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the setting of the café. The description is vivid and detailed, with the use of sensory imagery to create a sense of atmosphere. The speaker describes the "smell of coffee and cigarettes" and the "dim light" of the café. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is melancholic and introspective.
The conversation between the two lovers begins with small talk, but soon turns to the past. The speaker reminisces about the time they spent together, describing it as "a time of innocence and youth." The use of the word "innocence" suggests that the speaker feels that they have lost something valuable since then. The speaker also describes the past as a time of "dreams and hopes," which suggests that they feel that their dreams have not been fulfilled.
The theme of loss is further explored when the speaker describes how they have changed since they last met. The speaker says that they have "grown old" and that they have "lost their dreams." This suggests that the speaker feels that they have lost something essential to their identity. The use of the word "lost" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker feels that they have been robbed of something.
The theme of love is also explored in the poem. The speaker describes how they still love the other person, despite the passage of time. The use of the word "still" suggests that the speaker's love has endured despite the challenges they have faced. The speaker also describes how they have "loved and lost," which suggests that they have experienced heartbreak in the past.
The theme of reflection is also present in the poem. The speaker reflects on their life and the choices they have made. The speaker says that they have "made mistakes" and that they have "paid the price." This suggests that the speaker feels a sense of regret for the choices they have made. The use of the word "paid" suggests that the speaker feels that they have suffered as a result of their mistakes.
The poem also uses various literary devices to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The use of sensory imagery, as mentioned earlier, creates a vivid picture of the café and the emotions of the speaker. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "lost," creates a sense of emphasis and reinforces the theme of loss. The use of metaphor, such as the metaphor of the "fading light," creates a sense of melancholy and nostalgia.
In conclusion, "Café Talk" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and reflection. The poem is a conversation between two lovers who meet in a café after a long time. The conversation is filled with nostalgia, regret, and a sense of longing for what could have been. The poem uses various literary devices to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The use of sensory imagery, repetition, and metaphor all contribute to the poem's melancholic and introspective tone. Overall, "Café Talk" is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the human experience of love and loss.
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