'A Miracle For Breakfast' by Elizabeth Bishop
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At six o'clock we were waiting for coffee,
waiting for coffee and the charitable crumb
that was going to be served from a certain balcony
—like kings of old, or like a miracle.
It was still dark. One foot of the sun
steadied itself on a long ripple in the river.
The first ferry of the day had just crossed the river.
It was so cold we hoped that the coffee
would be very hot, seeing that the sun
was not going to warm us; and that the crumb
would be a loaf each, buttered, by a miracle.
At seven a man stepped out on the balcony.
He stood for a minute alone on the balcony
looking over our heads toward the river.
A servant handed him the makings of a miracle,
consisting of one lone cup of coffee
and one roll, which he proceeded to crumb,
his head, so to speak, in the clouds—along with the sun.
Was the man crazy? What under the sun
was he trying to do, up there on his balcony!
Each man received one rather hard crumb,
which some flicked scornfully into the river,
and, in a cup, one drop of the coffee.
Some of us stood around, waiting for the miracle.
I can tell what I saw next; it was not a miracle.
A beautiful villa stood in the sun
and from its doors came the smell of hot coffee.
In front, a baroque white plaster balcony
added by birds, who nest along the river,
—I saw it with one eye close to the crumb—
and galleries and marble chambers. My crumb
my mansion, made for me by a miracle,
through ages, by insects, birds, and the river
working the stone. Every day, in the sun,
at breakfast time I sit on my balcony
with my feet up, and drink gallons of coffee.
We licked up the crumb and swallowed the coffee.
A window across the river caught the sun
as if the miracle were working, on the wrong balcony.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Miracle For Breakfast: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Sensibility
When Elizabeth Bishop wrote "A Miracle for Breakfast," she was in the midst of a tumultuous period in her life. She had recently lost a close friend and was struggling with alcoholism, which had plagued her for years. Yet, despite these challenges, Bishop managed to create a masterpiece of emotion and sensibility. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the various themes and techniques used in the poem, and how they contribute to its overall impact.
The Poem's Structure and Form
Before delving into the themes of the poem, it's important to discuss its structure and form. "A Miracle for Breakfast" is a free verse poem, which means that it doesn't conform to a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Bishop to use a more natural, conversational tone, which enhances the emotional impact of the poem.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza introduces the speaker's emotional state and her surroundings, while the second focuses on her memories of a lost friend. The final stanza brings the poem full circle, ending with a sense of hope and renewal.
The Theme of Loss and Grief
The theme of loss and grief permeates the entire poem. In the first stanza, the speaker describes her surroundings as "dull, gray, and rainy," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. She is clearly in a state of emotional turmoil, and the weather reflects her inner turmoil.
The second stanza is particularly poignant, as the speaker reminisces about a lost friend. She describes the friend's smile as "bright and wide," and the memory of it brings her to tears. The use of the word "miracle" in the title of the poem takes on a double meaning here. On the one hand, the sight of the friend's smile was a miracle in and of itself, but on the other hand, the fact that the speaker can still remember it so vividly is a miracle as well.
The Theme of Hope and Renewal
Despite the overwhelming sense of loss and grief in the poem, Bishop manages to end on a hopeful note. The final stanza describes the speaker's visit to a market, where she sees "a miracle, a bread roll / still warm from the oven." This simple sight brings her a sense of renewal and hope, as she realizes that life goes on, and there are still small miracles to be found in the world.
The use of the bread roll as a symbol of hope is particularly effective. It represents sustenance, both physical and emotional, and it suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still something to hold on to.
The Use of Imagery and Sensory Detail
One of the most striking aspects of "A Miracle for Breakfast" is Bishop's use of imagery and sensory detail. The first stanza, for example, is filled with descriptions of the speaker's surroundings. We can almost feel the rain on our skin and see the grayness of the sky.
Similarly, the second stanza is filled with vivid descriptions of the lost friend. We can picture the friend's smile, hear her laughter, and feel the warmth of her presence. This attention to sensory detail helps to create a strong emotional connection between the reader and the speaker. We feel her loss and grief as if they were our own.
Conclusion
In "A Miracle for Breakfast," Elizabeth Bishop has created a masterpiece of emotion and sensibility. Through her use of free verse, imagery, and sensory detail, she has captured the theme of loss and grief in a way that is both poignant and relatable. And yet, despite the overwhelming sense of sadness in the poem, Bishop ends on a hopeful note, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there are still small miracles to be found in the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Miracle For Breakfast: An Analysis of Elizabeth Bishop's Classic Poem
Elizabeth Bishop's "A Miracle For Breakfast" is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. The poem is a reflection on the nature of creativity and the power of art to transform our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with a description of the speaker's morning routine. She wakes up early, makes coffee, and sits down to write. However, she is interrupted by a knock at the door. It is a friend who has come to visit, and the speaker is initially annoyed by the interruption. However, as the friend begins to talk, the speaker becomes engrossed in the conversation and forgets about her writing.
The first theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of creativity as a miracle. The speaker describes her writing as a "miracle" that she is trying to capture on paper. She is frustrated by the interruptions that prevent her from fully immersing herself in the creative process. However, when her friend arrives, she realizes that there are other miracles in life besides her writing. The conversation with her friend becomes a source of inspiration, and she is able to see the world in a new light.
The second theme that emerges in the poem is the power of art to transform our lives. The speaker's writing is a form of art that allows her to express herself and connect with the world around her. However, she also recognizes that art can come in many forms. The conversation with her friend is a form of art that allows them to connect and share their experiences. The speaker realizes that art is not just something that we create, but something that we experience and share with others.
The imagery in the poem is rich and evocative. The speaker describes the morning light as "pale as biscuits" and the coffee as "black and strong." These images create a sense of comfort and familiarity, as if the reader is experiencing the same morning routine as the speaker. The image of the friend's "bright face" is also powerful, as it represents the joy and energy that comes from human connection.
The language in the poem is simple and direct, but also poetic and evocative. The repetition of the word "miracle" creates a sense of urgency and importance. The use of the word "breakfast" in the title is also significant, as it represents the idea of nourishment and sustenance. The poem suggests that creativity and human connection are essential for our well-being, just as breakfast is essential for our physical health.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's "A Miracle For Breakfast" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of creativity, human connection, and the power of art to transform our lives. The poem is rich in imagery and language, and it invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences of creativity and connection. As we navigate the challenges of modern life, this poem reminds us of the importance of taking time to nourish our souls and connect with others.
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