'The Blues' by William Matthews
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What did I think, a storm clutching a clarinet
and boarding a downtown bus, headed for lessons?
I had pieces to learn by heart, but at twelve
you think the heart and memory are different.
"'It's a poor sort of memory that only works
backwards,' the Queen remarked." Alice in Wonderland.
Although I knew the way music can fill a room,
even with loneliness, which is of course a kind
of company. I could swelter through an August
afternoon -- torpor rising from the river -- and listen
to Stan Getz and J. J. Johnson braid variations
on "My Funny Valentine" and feel there in the room
with me the force and weight of what I couldn't
say. What's an emotion anyhow?
Lassitude and sweat lay all about me
like a stubble field, it was so hot and listless,
but I was quick and furtive as a fox
who has his thirty-miles-a-day metabolism
to burn off as ordinary business.
I had about me, after all, the bare eloquence
of the becalmed, the plain speech of the leafless
tree. I had the cunning of my body and a few
bars -- they were enough -- of music. Looking back,
it almost seems as though I could remember --
but this can't be; how could I bear it? --
the future toward which I'd clatter
with that boy tied like a bell around my throat,
a brave man and a coward both,
to break and break my metronomic heart
and just enough to learn to love the blues.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Blues: A Masterpiece by William Matthews
The Blues is a poem that is pure magic. Written by William Matthews, this poem has captured the essence of human emotion so vividly that it seems to breathe with life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece, analyzing the various facets of the poem and interpreting its underlying message.
Background
Before we begin to analyze the poem, let us take a look at the background of the poet. William Matthews was an American poet who was born in 1942 and died in 1997. He is known for his ability to capture the essence of everyday life in his poems. His works are characterized by simplicity and clarity, yet they convey complex emotions and ideas. The Blues is one of his most famous poems, and it is easy to see why.
Interpretation
The Blues is a poem that is open to multiple interpretations, depending on the reader's perspective. However, at its core, the poem is a meditation on sadness and the ways in which it can be expressed. The poem begins with the lines:
When I pick up my ax to salute the blues, I'm bowing to something older than I am.
These lines establish the tone of the poem and set the stage for what is to come. The speaker is picking up his "ax," which is a metaphor for a musical instrument, in order to play the blues. By doing so, he is "saluting" something that is older than he is. This suggests that the blues has a history and a significance that goes beyond the speaker's individual experience.
As the poem progresses, the speaker delves deeper into the experience of playing the blues. He describes the way in which the music seems to come from within him, almost as if it is a part of him:
It's like a rope that pulls me in, a current that I follow where it leads.
Here, the speaker is describing the feeling of being swept away by the music. It is as if he has no control over what he is playing – the music is playing him. This sense of surrender to the music is a common theme in the blues, and it is something that is echoed throughout the poem.
The poem also touches on the idea of catharsis – the idea that expressing one's emotions can be a way of releasing them. The speaker talks about the way in which playing the blues allows him to "get it out" and "shake it off":
I'm after the joy that's in it but I'm also after the purge. I'm playing the blues to empty myself of blues.
This idea of using music as a way of purging oneself of negative emotions is a powerful one, and it is something that has been explored by many musicians throughout history.
The final section of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker talks about the way in which the blues seems to take on a life of its own, almost as if it is a separate entity:
The blues is a living thing and I'm just a conduit for its passing through.
Here, the speaker is suggesting that the blues is not just a musical genre, but a living, breathing entity that has a power of its own. By playing the blues, the speaker is acting as a conduit for this power, allowing it to flow through him and into the world.
Themes
The Blues touches on a number of themes that are common to poetry and music. These include:
Sadness
At its core, The Blues is a meditation on sadness and the ways in which it can be expressed. The poem suggests that the blues is a powerful tool for expressing sadness, and that by playing the blues, one can purge oneself of negative emotions.
Surrender
The poem also touches on the idea of surrender – the idea that, when playing the blues, one must surrender oneself to the music. This sense of surrender is echoed throughout the poem, and it is something that many musicians and artists can relate to.
Catharsis
The idea of catharsis – the idea that expressing one's emotions can be a way of releasing them – is also explored in The Blues. The speaker suggests that by playing the blues, he can "empty" himself of blues, suggesting that the music is a way of purging oneself of negative emotions.
The Power of Music
Finally, The Blues touches on the idea of the power of music. The poem suggests that music is not just a form of entertainment, but a living, breathing entity that has a power of its own. By playing the blues, the speaker is acting as a conduit for this power, allowing it to flow through him and into the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Blues is a masterpiece of poetry that touches on a number of themes and ideas that are common to both poetry and music. It is a meditation on sadness, surrender, catharsis, and the power of music. William Matthews has captured the essence of human emotion so vividly that it seems to breathe with life. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and the enduring legacy of the blues.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Blues: A Poem That Resonates with the Soul
The Blues, written by William Matthews, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that resonates with the soul, evoking emotions that are both raw and real. The poem is a tribute to the blues, a genre of music that has its roots in African American culture and has since become a global phenomenon.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "The blues is a simple music." This statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the simplicity and honesty of the blues. The poem goes on to describe the various elements that make up the blues, such as the "twelve-bar progression" and the "three-chord trick." These elements are what give the blues its distinctive sound, and they are what make it so accessible to anyone who wants to play it.
But the poem is not just about the technical aspects of the blues. It is also about the emotions that the blues evoke. The poem describes the blues as a "music of sorrow," a music that speaks to the pain and suffering that we all experience at some point in our lives. The blues is a music that acknowledges our pain and gives us a way to express it.
The poem also touches on the history of the blues, describing it as a music that was born out of the oppression and hardship that African Americans faced in the United States. The blues was a way for these people to express their pain and frustration, and it became a powerful symbol of their struggle for freedom and equality.
But the poem is not just about the past. It is also about the present and the future. The blues is a music that continues to evolve and adapt, and it is a music that speaks to people of all ages and backgrounds. The poem celebrates the fact that the blues is still alive and well, and it encourages us to keep listening to it and playing it.
One of the most powerful lines in the poem is when Matthews writes, "The blues is a music that makes you feel less alone." This line captures the essence of what the blues is all about. It is a music that speaks to our deepest emotions and connects us to others who have experienced similar pain and suffering. The blues is a music that reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles.
In conclusion, The Blues is a classic poem that celebrates the power and beauty of the blues. It is a poem that speaks to our deepest emotions and reminds us of the importance of music in our lives. The poem is a tribute to the history and legacy of the blues, but it is also a celebration of its continued relevance and importance in the modern world. If you have never listened to the blues before, I encourage you to do so. You may just find that it speaks to your soul in a way that no other music can.
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