'The Remains' by Mark Strand
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I empty myself of the names of others. I empty my pockets.
I empty my shoes and leave them beside the road.
At night I turn back the clocks;
I open the family album and look at myself as a boy.
What good does it do? The hours have done their job.
I say my own name. I say goodbye.
The words follow each other downwind.
I love my wife but send her away.
My parents rise out of their thrones
into the milky rooms of clouds. How can I sing?
Time tells me what I am. I change and I am the same.
I empty myself of my life and my life remains.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Remains: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination
Mark Strand's The Remains is a masterpiece of poetic imagination. In this poem, Strand explores the deep complexities of human existence - our fears, our hopes, our desires, our failures, and our successes - in a way that is both powerful and poignant.
The poem begins with a simple yet evocative image: "Empty pockets turned inside out." This image immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem - one of emptiness, loss, and despair. Strand then goes on to describe the various remnants of a life - "a torn photograph," "a button from a coat," "a piece of bread" - that are left behind after death.
But it is not just the physical remains that Strand is interested in. He also explores the emotional and psychological remains that linger after we die - "the anguish of our failures," "the memory of our successes," "the echoes of our laughter." These emotional remains are just as real and just as powerful as the physical ones, and they continue to shape our world long after we are gone.
As Strand delves deeper into the nature of these remains, he begins to explore the very meaning of existence itself. What is it that makes life worth living? What is it that gives our lives meaning and purpose? These are the questions that Strand grapples with in this poem, and his answers are both profound and deeply moving.
One of the most powerful aspects of The Remains is the way in which Strand uses language to evoke emotion and create meaning. His use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism is masterful, and he is able to bring the reader into the world of the poem in a way that is both immersive and unforgettable.
For example, when Strand describes "the anguish of our failures," he uses the metaphor of a "locked room," which allows the reader to feel the sense of confinement and isolation that comes with failure. When he describes "the memory of our successes," he uses the image of "a bright bird in a cage," which evokes the idea of something that is both beautiful and trapped.
In addition to his use of language, Strand also employs various literary techniques to create meaning and enhance the emotional impact of the poem. For example, he uses repetition to emphasize certain ideas and to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. He also uses enjambment to create a sense of flow and continuity between lines.
Overall, The Remains is a stunning work of poetic artistry that speaks to the very heart of what it means to be human. Through his exploration of the remains that we leave behind - both physical and emotional - Strand is able to capture something essential about the human experience, something that is at once universal and deeply personal.
In the end, The Remains is a testament to the power of poetry to move us, to inspire us, and to help us make sense of the world around us. It is a work that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, and it is a testament to the enduring power of the written word.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Remains: A Poem of Life and Death
Mark Strand's "The Remains" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life and death, memory and loss, and the fleeting nature of existence. Written in a sparse and minimalist style, the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, and it invites the reader to reflect on the fragility and beauty of human existence.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "I empty myself of the names of others." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a sense of detachment and disconnection from the world around us. The speaker seems to be distancing himself from the people and things that once mattered to him, as if he is preparing himself for a journey into the unknown.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of memory and the way in which our memories shape our identity and our sense of self. He says, "I live on a front porch made of bone," which suggests that his memories are the foundation upon which his life is built. The porch is a metaphor for the speaker's identity, and the bones represent the memories that give it structure and shape.
The speaker then goes on to describe the remains of his life, which are scattered around him like "bits of broken glass." These remains are the remnants of his memories, the fragments of his life that he has held onto over the years. They are the things that have shaped him and defined him, but they are also the things that he must let go of in order to move on.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. He says, "I am the ghost of my father," which suggests that he is haunted by the memory of his own mortality. He realizes that he is not immortal, and that his time on earth is limited. He must confront the fact that he will one day become a memory himself, and that his own remains will be scattered like the broken glass around him.
Despite the bleakness of these reflections, the poem ends on a note of hope and renewal. The speaker says, "I am the sun that shines on the remains of the day," which suggests that even in the face of death and loss, there is still beauty and light to be found. The sun is a symbol of life and vitality, and it represents the possibility of renewal and regeneration.
In many ways, "The Remains" is a poem about the human condition. It speaks to the universal experience of life and death, memory and loss, and the search for meaning and purpose in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable. It invites the reader to reflect on their own lives and the things that matter to them, and to consider the fleeting nature of existence.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its minimalist style. Strand uses simple and direct language to convey complex ideas and emotions, and he leaves much of the interpretation up to the reader. This allows the poem to resonate on a deep and personal level, as each reader brings their own experiences and perspectives to the text.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of metaphor and imagery. Strand employs a range of metaphors and symbols to convey the themes of the poem, from the front porch made of bone to the scattered remains of broken glass. These images are powerful and evocative, and they help to create a vivid and memorable portrait of the speaker's inner world.
Overall, "The Remains" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. It invites the reader to reflect on their own lives and the things that matter to them, and it encourages us to embrace the beauty and fragility of human existence. In a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable, this is a message that is both timely and timeless, and one that is sure to resonate with readers for years to come.
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