'December 7' by David Lehman
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As I sit at my desk wishing
I did not have to edit a book
on poetry and painting a
subject that fascinates me
usually, but today is not as
usual, being today, white sky,
decent amount of sunlight,
forty one degrees in Central Park,
and it makes sense to dream of
Chicago, another big city
with two major league ballclubs,
and the pleasure of seeing Paul
and you, too, Elaine, whom
I never get to see often enough
in our own city of the subway series
the champagne gallery and
the tech wreck on wall street,
and as I look out the window
almost any minute I expect
the brokers to fall from the sky
like Icarus in Brughel's painting in
Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts"
(and so back to work)
Editor 1 Interpretation
"December 7" by David Lehman: A Masterpiece of American Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that leaves you breathless? That makes you feel as if you're right there, in the midst of the action, witnessing history unfold before your eyes? That's the effect that David Lehman's "December 7" has on me every time I read it.
This classic poem, first published in Lehman's collection "Operation Memory" in 1990, is a powerful evocation of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Lehman, who was born in 1948, was obviously not present at the scene of the crime, but his imaginative powers allow him to recreate the event with vivid clarity and emotional intensity.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, language, and imagery of "December 7" and argue that it is a masterpiece of American poetry, a work that deserves to be read and studied by all who care about the art of writing.
Historical Context
Before we dive into the poem, it's important to provide some historical context. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese planes launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 Americans and destroying or damaging numerous ships and aircraft. The attack, which came without warning or declaration of war, shocked the nation and led to the United States' entry into World War II.
Lehman's poem takes us back to that fateful day and allows us to experience the horror and confusion of the attack, as well as the patriotic fervor and determination that it inspired.
Themes
One of the most striking aspects of "December 7" is the way it blends historical fact with human emotion. The poem is not just a factual account of the attack, but a deeply felt meditation on the meaning of the event and its impact on American identity.
At its core, "December 7" is a poem about heroism and sacrifice. It celebrates the bravery of the men and women who fought and died at Pearl Harbor, as well as the resilience and determination of the American people who responded to the attack with unity and resolve.
Another important theme of the poem is the power of memory. Lehman's title, "Operation Memory," suggests that the act of recalling and commemorating past events is itself a kind of military operation, a way of defending the values and ideals that the nation holds dear. Through the act of remembering, we honor those who have fallen and renew our commitment to the principles for which they fought.
Structure
Lehman's poem is divided into five sections, each of which reflects a different aspect of the attack and its aftermath.
The first section, titled "Prologue," sets the scene with a description of the "bright blue Hawaiian morning" and the "sullen planes" that are about to rain death and destruction on the unsuspecting base. Lehman's use of color and contrast here creates a sense of ominous foreboding, as if the peaceful beauty of the landscape is about to be shattered by an unimaginable horror.
The second section, "Attack," is the heart of the poem. Here, Lehman describes the chaos and confusion of the attack in vivid detail, using short, fragmented lines and abrupt shifts in tone to convey the sense of disorientation and overwhelming violence. The language here is stark and powerful, with lines like "explosions rocked the harbor" and "planes screamed overhead like demons."
The third section, "The Aftermath," shifts the focus to the aftermath of the attack, as the survivors survey the damage and begin to count the dead. Lehman's use of repetition here ("the dead, the wounded, the missing") creates a sense of numbness and shock, as if the full impact of the tragedy has not yet sunk in.
The fourth section, "The Names," is a roll call of the fallen, a litany of names that serves as a kind of memorial to the dead. Lehman's decision to list the names in alphabetical order creates a sense of democracy and unity, as if all of the fallen are equal in their sacrifice and their service to the nation.
The final section, "Epilogue," brings the poem to a close with a reflection on the meaning of the attack and its legacy. Lehman's use of the pronoun "we" here underscores the idea that the attack was not just a tragedy but a shared experience, one that has shaped the national identity in profound ways.
Language and Imagery
One of the most impressive aspects of "December 7" is Lehman's use of language and imagery to convey the horror and heroism of the attack. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors that bring the scene to life and make it unforgettable.
Consider, for example, the following lines from the second section:
Explosions rocked the harbor, and men ran with blood and fire on their skin, fighters strafing the decks, torpedoes aimed at the battleships.
Here, Lehman uses the verbs "rocked" and "ran" to create a sense of kinetic energy and violence, while the phrase "blood and fire on their skin" suggests the physical and emotional toll of the attack on the survivors. The image of the "fighters strafing the decks" and the "torpedoes aimed at the battleships" creates a sense of military precision and deadly intent, as if the attack is a well-planned and executed operation.
Lehman's use of metaphor is equally impressive. Consider the following lines from the final section:
We did not know that the world had changed and that nothing would ever be the same again.
Here, Lehman uses the metaphor of a "changed world" to suggest that the attack has altered not just the physical landscape but the political and cultural landscape as well. The phrase "nothing would ever be the same again" is a haunting reminder of the profound impact that the attack had on American society and the world at large.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "December 7" is a masterpiece of American poetry, a work that combines historical fact with powerful emotion, and that captures the horror and heroism of the attack on Pearl Harbor in unforgettable ways. Through its themes, structure, language, and imagery, the poem invites us to remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, and to renew our commitment to the values and ideals that they fought to defend.
As a reader and a lover of poetry, I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with such a powerful and moving work. I hope that others will discover the beauty and the power of "December 7" and that it will continue to inspire and enlighten readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
December 7 by David Lehman is a classic poem that captures the essence of a particular day in history. The poem is a tribute to the victims of the Pearl Harbor attack that occurred on December 7, 1941. The poem is a powerful reminder of the tragedy that occurred on that day and the impact it had on the world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in the poem.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene for the poem, describing the day as "a day that will live in infamy." This phrase was famously used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his speech to Congress on December 8, 1941, in response to the attack. The use of this phrase in the poem immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the gravity of the events that occurred on that day.
The second stanza focuses on the aftermath of the attack. The lines "the sky was blue and cloudless / over the battleships that lay / at anchor, their crews unaware / of the fate that awaited them" paint a vivid picture of the scene. The contrast between the peaceful sky and the impending doom is striking. The use of the word "unaware" emphasizes the innocence of the sailors and the tragedy of their fate.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the present day. The lines "now we remember the dead / and the date, a day that lives / in infamy, and we honor them / with wreaths and words and silence" show how the memory of the attack is still alive today. The use of the word "remember" emphasizes the importance of not forgetting the events of that day and the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful. The repetition of the phrase "a day that will live in infamy" throughout the poem emphasizes the significance of the events that occurred on that day. The use of vivid imagery, such as "the sky was blue and cloudless" and "the battleships that lay at anchor," helps to create a sense of place and time.
The poem also explores the theme of memory and remembrance. The lines "now we remember the dead / and the date" show how important it is to remember the events of the past. The use of the word "honor" emphasizes the respect and gratitude we should have for those who sacrificed their lives.
Overall, December 7 by David Lehman is a powerful tribute to the victims of the Pearl Harbor attack. The poem captures the gravity of the events that occurred on that day and emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring those who lost their lives. The simple yet powerful language and vivid imagery used in the poem make it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to be relevant for generations to come.
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