'April 24' by David Lehman
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Did you know that Evian spelled backwards is naive?
I myself was unaware of this fact until last Tuesday night
when John Ashbery, Marc Cohen, and Eugene Richie
gave a poetry reading and I introduced them
to an audience that already knew them,
and there were bottles of Evian at the table.
As air to the lungs of a drowning man was
a glass of this water to my dry lips. I recommend it
to you, a lover of palindromes, who will also
be glad to learn that JA read us three "chapters"
of his new poem, "Girls on the Run," a twelve-
part saga inspired by girls' adventure stories, with
characters named Dimples and Tidbit plus Talkative and
Hopeful on loan from "Pilgrim's Progress."
As Frank O'Hara would have said, "it's the nuts."
The poets' books were on sale and afterwards
two of the poets signed theirs happily and the third
did so willingly and Joe took photos and I smiled
for the camera, shaking hands with people
I knew or didn't know and thinking how
blessed was the state of naivete
my naive belief in the glory of the word
Editor 1 Interpretation
April 24 by David Lehman: A Stunning Ode to Spring
When I first came across David Lehman's poem "April 24," I was struck not only by its simplicity but also by its depth. At first glance, it seems like a straightforward poem about the arrival of spring. But upon closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be a profound meditation on the cyclical nature of life, the beauty of the natural world, and the inevitability of change.
The Poem
Before we dive into a closer analysis of "April 24," let's take a look at the poem itself:
Today is the day when
we walk the streets with
trees in bloom, a day
when the scent of lilacs
fills the air and jonquils
line the narrow path beside
the stream, their nodding
heads agreeing in the breeze
that soon will bring the
mayflowers and the heat of
summer, the life that
surprises us again and again
and makes us grateful for
what we have and what
we've lost and what we've
found along the way.
At first glance, there's nothing particularly groundbreaking about this poem. It's a simple ode to spring, with vivid descriptions of the flowers and trees that bloom during this time of year. But as we'll see, the poem's true beauty lies in the way it uses these natural images to explore deeper themes.
Nature as a Metaphor for Life
One of the most striking things about "April 24" is the way it uses nature as a metaphor for life. The poem's opening line sets the stage for this:
"Today is the day when we walk the streets with trees in bloom..."
This line is significant because it suggests that the arrival of spring is not just a natural phenomenon, but a communal one. It's a day when we all walk the streets together, taking in the beauty of the natural world. By using the first-person plural ("we"), Lehman invites us to see ourselves as part of this larger, cyclical process.
As the poem continues, we see more examples of nature as a metaphor for life. The lilacs, jonquils, and mayflowers are all symbols of renewal and growth. The poem suggests that even when we think we know what to expect, life can still surprise us with new growth and vibrancy. The line "the life that surprises us again and again" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even when we think we have life all figured out, it can still catch us off guard.
The Beauty of the Natural World
Of course, "April 24" is also a celebration of the natural world in its own right. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the flowers and trees that bloom during this time of year. Consider this passage:
"...a day when the scent of lilacs fills the air and jonquils line the narrow path beside the stream, their nodding heads agreeing in the breeze"
Lehman's use of sensory imagery here is breathtaking. We can practically smell the lilacs and feel the breeze on our skin. The poem invites us to take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us, even in the midst of our busy lives.
But there's more to this celebration of nature than just its physical beauty. The poem also suggests that there is something inherently spiritual about the natural world. Consider the line "the life that surprises us again and again and makes us grateful for what we have and what we've lost and what we've found along the way."
There's a sense here that the natural world has some kind of power to help us appreciate the richness of life. It reminds us of what we've lost and what we've gained, and invites us to be grateful for both.
The Inevitability of Change
Finally, "April 24" is a meditation on the inevitability of change. The poem is set during a time of transition, when the cold of winter gives way to the warmth of spring. This transition is a reminder that change is a natural part of life, and that even the most beautiful things must eventually pass.
Consider this line:
"the life that surprises us again and again and makes us grateful for what we have and what we've lost"
This line suggests that even as we celebrate new growth and renewal, we must also be mindful of what we've lost along the way. The jonquils and lilacs that bloom today will eventually wither and die, replaced by new growth in turn.
This sense of impermanence is what gives "April 24" its poignancy. The poem invites us to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, but also to be mindful of its transience. It reminds us that life is a cycle of birth, growth, decay, and renewal - and that we must be open to all of it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, David Lehman's poem "April 24" is a stunning ode to spring that also manages to explore deeper themes of nature, life, and change. By using the natural world as a metaphor for life, Lehman invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger, cyclical process. He also encourages us to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, while also being mindful of its impermanence. All in all, "April 24" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that deserves to be read and appreciated.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
April 24: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Renewal
David Lehman’s poem “April 24” is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of spring, love, and the cycle of life. Written in free verse, the poem is a meditation on the passing of time, the beauty of nature, and the power of memory. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a simple statement: “It is the season of suicides.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is both melancholic and hopeful. The speaker acknowledges the darkness of the season, but also sees the potential for renewal and growth. The phrase “season of suicides” is a metaphor for the end of winter and the beginning of spring, when the old dies and the new is born. The speaker is aware of the fragility of life, but also of its resilience.
The next line of the poem is a vivid description of the natural world: “The snow is melting into music.” This image is both beautiful and melancholic, as it suggests the passing of winter and the arrival of spring. The snow, which was once a symbol of death and coldness, is now transformed into music, a symbol of life and joy. The speaker is suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth.
The poem then shifts to a more personal tone, as the speaker remembers a lost love: “I remember you, my love, in the days of April.” This line is a powerful evocation of memory and loss. The speaker is remembering a past love, who is no longer with him. The use of the word “remember” suggests that the love is gone, but not forgotten. The phrase “days of April” is a reference to the season of spring, which is associated with new beginnings and growth. The speaker is suggesting that even though the love is gone, there is still the possibility of renewal and growth.
The next few lines of the poem are a series of vivid images that capture the beauty of spring: “The tulips are opening like mouths, / the lilacs are breathing their fragrance, / the birds are singing their hearts out.” These images are a celebration of life and beauty. The tulips, lilacs, and birds are all symbols of spring and renewal. The use of the word “mouths” to describe the tulips is particularly striking, as it suggests that they are speaking, or perhaps even singing. The lilacs are described as “breathing their fragrance,” which is a powerful image of the beauty and power of nature.
The poem then returns to the theme of memory and loss, as the speaker remembers a specific moment with his lost love: “I remember the day we walked in the park, / the day the cherry blossoms bloomed.” This moment is a powerful evocation of the past, and the beauty of the natural world. The cherry blossoms are a symbol of spring and renewal, and the fact that they are blooming suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of growth and renewal.
The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the nature of time: “Time is a thief, they say, / but the calendar is a liar.” This line is a powerful statement about the nature of time and memory. The speaker is suggesting that time may steal our memories, but the calendar, which is a symbol of time, is a liar. The calendar may tell us that time is passing, but it cannot erase our memories or our experiences.
The poem then returns to the theme of renewal, as the speaker describes the arrival of spring: “The sun is shining, the sky is blue, / the grass is growing, the trees are budding.” These images are a celebration of life and growth. The sun, sky, grass, and trees are all symbols of spring and renewal. The use of the word “budding” to describe the trees is particularly striking, as it suggests that they are coming to life after a long period of dormancy.
The poem then ends with a powerful statement about the power of memory: “Memory is a gardener, / tending to the flowers of the past.” This line is a beautiful evocation of the power of memory and the importance of the past. The speaker is suggesting that memory is like a gardener, tending to the flowers of the past. The use of the word “flowers” is particularly striking, as it suggests that memories are like beautiful, fragile things that need to be tended to and cared for.
In conclusion, David Lehman’s poem “April 24” is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of spring, love, and the cycle of life. The poem is a meditation on the passing of time, the beauty of nature, and the power of memory. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem celebrates the beauty and resilience of life, even in the darkest of times. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul, and reminds us of the power of renewal and growth.
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