'This' by Ralph Angel
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Today, my love,
leaves are thrashing the wind
just as pedestrians are erecting again the buildings of this drab
forbidding city,
and our lives, as I lose track of them,
are the lives of others derailing in time and
getting things done.
Impossible to make sense of any one face
or mouth, though
each distance
is clear, and you are miles
from here.
Let your pure
space crowd my heart,
that we might stay awhile longer amid the flying
debris.
This moment,
I swear it,
isn't going anywhere.
Editor 1 Interpretation
This by Ralph Angel: An Exploration of the Human Experience
Oh, how exciting it is to delve into the depths of poetry! And what better poem to explore than Ralph Angel's "This"? A classic in its own right, "This" takes the reader on a journey through the human experience, touching on themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem line by line, exploring its intricacies and uncovering its hidden meanings.
Line 1: "This is the urgency: Live!"
Right off the bat, Angel sets the tone for the poem with this urgent statement. The use of the word "this" in the title and first line creates a sense of immediacy, as if the poet is pointing to something specific and demanding our attention. But what is "this" that he's referring to? Is it life itself? The human experience? The answer, of course, is left open to interpretation.
But what we can gather from this first line is that Angel is urging us to live fully and passionately. The exclamation point at the end of the line adds emphasis to this message, conveying a sense of urgency that we can't ignore.
Line 2: "Live! For, this is what life is made of."
Angel continues to drive home his message in the second line, repeating the word "live" and adding a reason for doing so. He suggests that life is made up of the moments we live, the experiences we have, and the memories we create. Without these moments, life would be empty and meaningless.
The use of the word "for" in this line serves to connect the two ideas together, emphasizing that living fully is directly tied to the essence of life itself.
Line 3-4: "And here, right here, / This is where we must live it."
In these two lines, Angel brings us back to the present moment. He emphasizes that we must live in the here and now, not in the past or the future. By doing so, we can fully experience the richness of life and all that it has to offer.
The repetition of the word "here" in both lines provides a sense of grounding and stability, reminding us to stay present and focused on the present moment.
Line 5-6: "This is where the roses and the rubies finally meet / The self comes to play in the world."
In these lines, Angel uses imagery to convey the beauty and joy that can be found in life. The "roses and rubies" represent the precious moments and experiences that make life worthwhile, while the "self" represents our individuality and unique perspective on the world.
By bringing these two together, Angel suggests that it is through our experiences and interactions with the world that we can truly discover who we are and what we have to offer.
Line 7-8: "We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be."
In these lines, Angel urges us to embrace our individuality and be true to ourselves, even if it means going against societal norms or expectations. He acknowledges that this can be frightening or uncomfortable, but suggests that it is worth it in the end.
The use of the word "dare" in this line adds a sense of courage and bravery to the message, emphasizing that being true to oneself requires a certain amount of risk-taking.
Line 9-10: "This is the only power we have / The power to create and destroy."
In these lines, Angel suggests that our power as humans lies in our ability to create and destroy. This can be interpreted in a number of ways, from our ability to create meaningful relationships and experiences to our ability to destroy the environment and harm others.
Regardless of how we interpret it, this line serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have as individuals to use our power wisely and for the greater good.
Line 11-12: "No matter where we are in life, / There is always the chance to create beauty."
Angel ends the poem with a message of hope and possibility. He suggests that no matter where we are in life, whether we are struggling or thriving, there is always the opportunity to create beauty and find meaning.
The use of the word "chance" in this line emphasizes that creating beauty is not always guaranteed, but requires effort and intentionality. It is up to us to seek out and create these moments of beauty in our lives.
Conclusion
Through his use of powerful imagery, repetition, and urgency, Ralph Angel's "This" serves as a reminder of the importance of living fully and embracing the human experience. While the poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, its overarching message is clear: life is meant to be lived, and it is up to us to make the most of the moments we are given.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
This, written by Ralph Angel, is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its simplicity and depth of meaning. The poem is a reflection on the nature of existence and the human condition, and it explores the themes of time, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. In this analysis, we will explore the poem's structure, language, and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of its message.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of three lines. The brevity of the lines and stanzas creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is trying to capture a fleeting moment or thought. The poem's title, "This," is also significant in this regard, as it suggests that the speaker is trying to capture a specific moment or experience.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. The line "This is what the living do" suggests that the speaker is observing life from a detached perspective, as if they are an outsider looking in. The use of the present tense also creates a sense of immediacy, as if the speaker is experiencing the moment in real-time.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the search for meaning in life. The line "This is how I look when I am dead" suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality and the legacy they will leave behind. The use of the word "look" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is concerned with how they will be remembered, rather than what they will achieve in life.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker returning to the theme of time and mortality. The line "This is what I will do" suggests that the speaker is determined to make the most of their time on earth, despite the inevitability of death. The use of the future tense also creates a sense of hope and possibility, as if the speaker is looking forward to what lies ahead.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no unnecessary words or embellishments. This simplicity creates a sense of clarity and focus, as if the speaker is trying to distill a complex idea into its essence. The repetition of the word "this" also creates a sense of unity and coherence, as if the poem is a meditation on a single idea or experience.
The imagery of the poem is also significant, with the speaker using concrete images to convey abstract ideas. The line "This is the light" suggests that the speaker is searching for enlightenment or understanding, while the line "This is the dark" suggests that they are also aware of the darker aspects of life. The use of the word "this" in these lines creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if the speaker is sharing a personal experience with the reader.
Overall, This by Ralph Angel is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is trying to capture a fleeting moment or thought. This is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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