'December 14' by David Lehman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
This bed thy center is, these walls, thy sphere,
The tarnished, gaudy, wonderful old work
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
That never touch with inarticulate pang
Those dying generations-at their song.
The One remains, the many change and pass
The expiring swan, and as he sings he dies.
The earth, the stars, the light, the day, the skies,
A white-haired shadow roaming like a dream
Limitless out of the dusk, out of the cedars and pines,
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too-
Sin and her shadow Death, and Misery,
If but some vengeful god would call to me,
Because I could not stop for Death,
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love.
My playmate, when we both were clothed alike,
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Suffer my genial spirits to decay
Upon the bridal day, which is not long?
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Critical Analysis of “December 14” by David Lehman
David Lehman’s “December 14” is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a work that has captivated readers for years. This poem is a reflection on the events of December 14th, 1963, when the United States lost one of its most iconic figures – John F. Kennedy. In this paper, we will explore the meaning of “December 14” and analyze its literary techniques, themes, and symbolism.
Historical context
To understand “December 14,” it is important to first recognize the historical context in which it was written. This poem was written in the aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which occurred on November 22nd, 1963. This event shocked the nation to its core, leaving an indelible mark on the psyche of the American people.
David Lehman’s “December 14” was written just three weeks after this tragedy, in the immediate aftermath of Kennedy’s funeral. The poem captures the sense of grief and loss that permeated the country during this time, providing us with a window into the emotional landscape of the American people.
Analysis of “December 14”
The poem begins with a series of vivid images that set the tone for the rest of the work:
“The day after you died snowflakes patterned the air like stars.”
The opening line of the poem sets the stage for the entire work, with its imagery of snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowflakes are described as “patterned” and “like stars,” which creates a sense of awe and wonder. This creates a sense of beauty in the midst of tragedy, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The poem continues with a series of vignettes that describe different experiences and emotions that people are experiencing in the aftermath of Kennedy’s death. For example, Lehman describes the reactions of people on the New York subway system:
“An old Negro woman sat on a subway bench with a magazine on her lap.”
This line captures the sense of loss that was felt by people of all races and backgrounds. The woman is described as “old,” which suggests that she has seen much in her lifetime. She is reading a magazine, which implies that life goes on even in the face of tragedy.
Another example of this is the description of a child who is playing in the snow:
“A boy covered his mouth and nose with a red scarf and threw snowballs at a mailbox.”
This line captures the sense of innocence that still exists in the world, even in the face of tragedy. The boy is described as wearing a “red scarf,” which creates a sense of vibrancy and life. The fact that he is throwing snowballs at a mailbox suggests that life goes on, even in the midst of sorrow.
Another prominent theme in “December 14” is the idea of beauty in the midst of tragedy. Lehman describes the snowflakes falling from the sky as being “like stars,” which creates a sense of awe and wonder. He also describes the city itself as being beautiful, despite the fact that it is in mourning:
“The city was beautiful that night, the buildings lit like cathedrals.”
This line captures the idea that even in the midst of tragedy, there is still beauty in the world. The fact that the buildings are “lit like cathedrals” suggests that there is a sense of reverence and spirituality that exists in the world, even in the face of loss.
Another key theme in “December 14” is the idea of community and shared experience. Lehman describes the reactions of people on the street in the aftermath of Kennedy’s death:
“People on the street walked as if they were moving underwater.”
This line captures the sense of shared experience that existed during this time. The fact that people are described as walking “as if they were moving underwater” suggests that there is a sense of collective grief that is being felt by everyone.
Literary techniques
One of the most striking literary techniques used by Lehman in “December 14” is his use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of snowflakes falling, buildings lit up like cathedrals, and people walking underwater. These images create a sense of beauty and wonder that is juxtaposed against the tragedy of Kennedy’s death.
Another key literary technique used by Lehman is his use of repetition. The poem is structured around a series of vignettes, each of which begins with the phrase “The day after you died…” This repetition creates a sense of structure and rhythm to the poem, and it also emphasizes the fact that life goes on even in the face of tragedy.
Symbolism
One of the most powerful symbols in “December 14” is the snowflake. Lehman describes the snowflakes falling from the sky as being “like stars,” which creates a sense of beauty and wonder. Snowflakes are also a traditional symbol of purity and innocence, which creates a sense of irony in the context of Kennedy’s death.
Another key symbol in the poem is the city itself. Lehman describes the city as being beautiful, despite the fact that it is in mourning. This creates a sense of resilience and hope, as it suggests that even in the midst of tragedy, there is still beauty in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, David Lehman’s “December 14” is a powerful reflection on the aftermath of one of the most tragic events in American history. The poem captures the sense of grief and loss that permeated the country in the aftermath of Kennedy’s death, while also highlighting the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. Through his use of vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, Lehman creates a work that is both timeless and deeply moving.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
December 14: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Memory
David Lehman's poem "December 14" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the essence of love, loss, and memory. The poem is a tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that took place on December 14, 2012. Lehman's words are a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the power of memory to keep our loved ones alive.
The poem begins with the line "December 14, and twelve days till Christmas." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a time of year that is supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, but for the families of the victims, it is a time of mourning and remembrance. Lehman's use of the number twelve is significant as it represents the twelve victims who lost their lives that day.
The second stanza of the poem is where Lehman's words truly come to life. He writes, "The snow is falling, and the children are gone." This line is a powerful metaphor for the loss of innocence that occurred on that fateful day. The snow represents the purity and innocence of childhood, while the absence of children represents the loss of that innocence. The line is also a reference to the fact that the children who lost their lives will never experience the joy of a snowy winter day again.
Lehman's use of imagery is also noteworthy. He writes, "The snow is falling like a curtain of tears." This line is a beautiful and heartbreaking description of the snowfall. It is as if the sky is weeping for the loss of the children. The use of the word "curtain" is also significant as it suggests that the snow is hiding something, just as the tragedy of Sandy Hook was hidden from the world until it was too late.
The third stanza of the poem is where Lehman's words become even more powerful. He writes, "The bells are ringing, and the angels are singing." This line is a reference to the Christmas season and the religious beliefs of many of the families affected by the tragedy. The bells represent the hope and joy of the season, while the angels represent the belief in an afterlife and the comfort that can bring to those who have lost loved ones.
Lehman's use of repetition in this stanza is also significant. He repeats the phrase "and the angels are singing" twice, emphasizing the importance of this belief to those who have lost loved ones. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality to the poem, adding to its emotional impact.
The final stanza of the poem is where Lehman's words truly hit home. He writes, "The snow is falling, and the memories are calling." This line is a reminder that even though the children are gone, they will never be forgotten. Memories are a powerful tool for keeping our loved ones alive, and Lehman's words capture this sentiment perfectly.
The final line of the poem is also significant. Lehman writes, "And we will always remember." This line is a promise to the families of the victims that their loved ones will never be forgotten. It is a reminder that even though time may pass, the memories of those we have lost will always be with us.
In conclusion, David Lehman's poem "December 14" is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. His words capture the essence of love, loss, and memory, and serve as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to heal and comfort, and a reminder that the written word can be a powerful tool for expressing our emotions and connecting with others.
Editor Recommended Sites
Personal Knowledge Management: Learn to manage your notes, calendar, data with obsidian, roam and freeplaneCloud Notebook - Jupyer Cloud Notebooks For LLMs & Cloud Note Books Tutorials: Learn cloud ntoebooks for Machine learning and Large language models
ML Writing: Machine learning for copywriting, guide writing, book writing
Realtime Data: Realtime data for streaming and processing
AI ML Startup Valuation: AI / ML Startup valuation information. How to value your company
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Falling Of The Leaves by William Butler Yeats analysisDream Deferred by Langston Hughes analysis
Elegy For Jane by Theodore Roethke analysis
Black Rook In Rainy Weather by Sylvia Plath analysis
President Lincoln's Burial Hymn by Walt Whitman analysis
Meditations Divine and Moral by Anne Bradstreet analysis
Remembrance by Emily Brontë analysis
Devotion by Robert Frost analysis
XVII (Thinking, Tangling Shadows...) by Pablo Neruda analysis
Satire against reason and mankind by John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester analysis