'January 31 (The sky is crumbling...)' by David Lehman

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The sky is crumbling into millions of paper dots
the wind blows in my face
so I duck into my favorite barber shop
and listen to Vivaldi and look in the mirror
reflecting the shopfront windows, Broadway
and 104th, and watch the dots blown by the wind
blow into the faces of the walkers outside
& here comes a thin old man swaddled in scarves,
he must be seventy-five, walking slowly,
and in his mind there is a young man dancing,
maybe seventeen years old, on a June evening --
he is that young man, I can tell, watching him walk

Editor 1 Interpretation

January 31 (The Sky is Crumbling...) by David Lehman

Have you ever read a poem that makes you feel like you're standing on the edge of a cliff, gazing at a breathtaking view that is both terrifying and exhilarating? "January 31 (The Sky is Crumbling...)" by David Lehman is one such poem.

First published in 2004 as part of Lehman's book, "The Evening Sun: A Journal in Poetry," this poem is a stunning example of how a writer can capture the essence of a moment in time and turn it into a work of art.

Lehman starts the poem by painting a vivid image of what he sees outside:

The sky is crumbling into millions of paper dots The wind blows in my face So I lower my head And keep walking

This opening stanza is both beautiful and ominous. The image of the sky crumbling is a startling one, and Lehman's use of the word "millions" adds to the sense of overwhelming chaos. The wind blowing in his face indicates that this is not a pleasant experience, and the fact that he lowers his head to keep walking suggests that he is trying to persevere through difficult circumstances.

The second stanza builds on the first, with Lehman describing the world around him in more detail:

It feels like the right day to plot a revolution From a bench in a city park A bus splashes mud on my pants Revolutions are not so easily started

Here, Lehman's use of the phrase "plot a revolution" is intriguing. It suggests that he is not just experiencing a difficult day, but that there is something deeper going on. The mud splashed on his pants by a passing bus adds to the sense of chaos and unpredictability, and his final comment about how revolutions are not easily started is a statement of resignation.

The third stanza is where the poem really takes off, as Lehman shifts from describing his surroundings to exploring his inner thoughts and feelings:

Still, we live in a world where love Means to see what is sacred In a beloved's eyes And let that image fill you From the inside out

This stanza is a stark contrast to the first two. Lehman's language becomes more poetic and philosophical, and he is no longer describing the world around him, but rather his own worldview. The idea that love is about seeing what is sacred in another person's eyes is a beautiful one, and Lehman's assertion that this image can fill you from the inside out is both comforting and inspiring.

The fourth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, as Lehman returns to the image of the sky crumbling:

Today, I see the sky is that beloved And the rest of it doesn't matter If today were a fish I'd throw it back in the water

This stanza is a perfect ending to the poem. Lehman brings us back to the image of the sky, but now he sees it as a beloved. This shift in perspective is powerful, and it shows us that even in the midst of chaos and difficulty, there is still beauty and love to be found. The final line, "If today were a fish / I'd throw it back in the water," is a bold and unexpected statement. It suggests that Lehman is willing to let go of his frustration and disappointment, and move on to something better.

In conclusion, "January 31 (The Sky is Crumbling...)" by David Lehman is a stunning poem that captures the complexity of human emotions in a few short stanzas. From the vivid imagery of the sky crumbling to the philosophical musings on love and the power of perspective, this poem is a masterclass in how to convey meaning and emotion through poetry. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do so. It will leave you feeling both shaken and inspired, and isn't that what great art is all about?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

January 31: A Poem of Hope and Renewal

David Lehman's poem "January 31" is a beautiful and inspiring work that captures the essence of the winter season. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of nature, and it reminds us that even in the darkest and coldest of times, there is always hope and renewal.

The poem begins with the line "The sky is crumbling into millions of paper dots," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the work. The image of the sky crumbling is both beautiful and unsettling, and it creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The use of the word "paper" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the sky is not really falling apart, but rather transforming into something new and different.

As the poem continues, Lehman describes the snow falling "like a shower of petals from the trees," which is another beautiful and evocative image. The snow is not just falling, but it is falling in a way that is reminiscent of the beauty and fragility of springtime. This image is particularly powerful because it suggests that even in the midst of winter, there is the promise of new life and growth.

Lehman then goes on to describe the "frosty air" and the "icy streets," which are both familiar and yet somehow transformed by the beauty of the falling snow. The use of the word "frosty" is particularly effective, as it suggests both the coldness of the winter air and the delicate beauty of the frost that forms on the trees and buildings.

The poem then takes a turn towards the more personal, as Lehman describes the speaker's own feelings of hope and renewal. The speaker says that "I am happy to be alive / on this January day," which is a powerful statement of gratitude and appreciation for life. The speaker then goes on to say that "I'm learning to live in the moment," which is a reminder that even in the midst of difficult times, it is possible to find joy and meaning in the present moment.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as Lehman describes the snow melting and the world coming back to life. He writes, "The snow is melting / and the branches are bare again / but they're already beginning to swell." This image of the branches swelling with new life is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of winter, there is always the promise of spring and new growth.

Overall, "January 31" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that captures the essence of the winter season. It is a celebration of the beauty and power of nature, and it reminds us that even in the darkest and coldest of times, there is always hope and renewal. The poem is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of difficult times, it is possible to find joy and meaning in the present moment, and that there is always the promise of new life and growth.

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