'Letter To Kizer From Seattle' by Richard Hugo
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Dear Condor: Much thanks for that telephonic support
from North Carolina when I suddenly went ape
in the Iowa tulips. Lord, but I'm ashamed.
I was afraid, it seemed, according to the doctor
of impending success, winning some poetry prizes
or getting a wet kiss. The more popular I got,
the softer the soft cry in my head: Don't believe them.
You were never good. Then I broke and proved it.
Ten successive days I alienated women
I liked best. I told a coed why her poems were bad
(they weren't) and didn't understand a word I said.
Really warped. The phrase "I'll be all right"
came out too many unsolicited times. I'm o.k. now.
I'm back at the primal source of poems: wind, sea
and rain, the market and the salmon. Speaking
of the market, they're having a vital election here.
Save the market? Tear it down? The forces of evil
maintain they're trying to save it too, obscuring,
of course, the issue. The forces of righteousness,
me and my friends, are praying for a storm, one
of those grim dark rolling southwest downpours
that will leave the electorate sane. I'm the last poet
to teach the Roethke chair under Heilman.
He's retiring after 23 years. Most of the old gang
is gone. Sol Katz is aging. Who isn't? It's close now
to the end of summer and would you believe it
I've ignored the Blue Moon. I did go to White Center,
you know, my home town, and the people there,
many are the same, but also aging, balking, remarkably
polite and calm. A man whose name escapes me
said he thinks he had known me, the boy who went alone
to Longfellow Creek and who laughed and cried
for no reason. The city is huge, maybe three quarters
of a million and lots of crime. They are indicting
the former chief of police. Sorry to be so rambling.
I eat lunch with J. Hillis Miller, brilliant and nice
as they come, in the faculty club, overlooking the lake,
much of it now filled in. And I tour old haunts,
been twice to Kapowsin. One trout. One perch. One poem.
Take care, oh wisest of condors. Love. Dick. Thanks again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive Into "Letter To Kizer From Seattle" by Richard Hugo
Poetry is an art form that combines the beauty of language with powerful emotions and vivid images. It has a unique ability to capture the essence of life and express it in a way that resonates with readers on a deep level. One such poem that has captivated readers for decades is "Letter To Kizer From Seattle" by Richard Hugo. This classic poem is a perfect example of how poetry can speak to the universal human experience and offer insights into the complexities of life.
The Poet and His Work
Richard Hugo was an American poet, professor, and critic who lived from 1923 to 1982. He was born in Seattle, Washington, and spent most of his life in the Pacific Northwest. Hugo was known for his unique style of poetry, which combined a sense of place with a deep understanding of human nature.
"Letter To Kizer From Seattle" is one of his most famous poems, first published in 1968 in his book "The Lady In Kicking Horse Reservoir." The poem is written in the form of a letter, addressed to his friend and fellow poet, Carolyn Kizer. It is a deeply personal and emotional account of his life and experiences in Seattle, where he had relocated after leaving Montana.
The Themes and Imagery
The poem is rich in themes and imagery, which combine to create a powerful emotional impact on the reader. One of the central themes of the poem is the sense of dislocation and loss that Hugo feels as he adjusts to life in Seattle. He describes how he misses Montana and the people he left behind, and how he struggles to find a sense of belonging in his new surroundings.
This theme is expressed through imagery that is both vivid and haunting. Hugo uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to convey his feelings of dislocation and loss. For example, he describes Seattle as a city that is "built on stilts above the sound" and compares it to a "child's toy boat, afloat on a vast ocean." This imagery conveys a sense of fragility and impermanence, as if the city could be swept away at any moment.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of writing as a means of coping with life's difficulties. Hugo describes how he writes "to keep from going crazy" and how writing helps him to find meaning and purpose in his life. This theme is expressed through imagery that is both beautiful and poignant. For example, he describes the act of writing as "a line trailing out into the dark like a fishing line" and compares it to the "sound of a train passing in the night."
Finally, the poem is also about the power of memory and how it can shape our lives. Hugo describes how memories of his past are always with him, even as he tries to adjust to his new life in Seattle. He uses imagery that is both nostalgic and bittersweet to convey the importance of memory in our lives. For example, he describes how memories are like "a bell that keeps sounding in the night, a deep clang that vibrates down through the years."
The Structure and Language
The poem is written in the form of a letter, which gives it a deeply personal and intimate feel. It is addressed to Carolyn Kizer, who is a fellow poet and friend of Richard Hugo. This adds to the sense of intimacy and familiarity that the poem conveys.
The language of the poem is both beautiful and lyrical. Hugo has a unique ability to capture the essence of his emotions and experiences in words that are both powerful and evocative. He uses a variety of poetic techniques, such as metaphors, symbols, and imagery, to create a sense of depth and complexity in his writing.
The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. It is divided into five stanzas, each with a different focus or theme. The stanzas are not separated by any punctuation, which gives the poem a flowing and continuous feel. This structure also adds to the sense of intimacy and familiarity that the poem conveys, as if the reader is being taken on a journey through Hugo's thoughts and emotions.
The Significance of the Poem
"Letter To Kizer From Seattle" is a significant poem for many reasons. It is a powerful example of how poetry can capture the universal human experience and offer insights into the complexities of life. The themes and imagery of the poem are timeless and resonate with readers on a deep level.
The poem is also significant because it is a deeply personal and emotional account of Richard Hugo's life and experiences. It offers a glimpse into the mind of a great poet and shows how he used writing as a means of coping with life's difficulties.
Finally, the poem is significant because it is a testament to the power of language and the beauty of poetry. Hugo's use of language and poetic techniques creates a sense of beauty and profundity that is rare in modern writing.
Conclusion
"Letter To Kizer From Seattle" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers today. It is a powerful example of how poetry can capture the universal human experience and offer insights into the complexities of life. The themes and imagery of the poem are timeless and resonate with readers on a deep level. Richard Hugo's use of language and poetic techniques creates a sense of beauty and profundity that is rare in modern writing. This poem is a testament to the power of language and the beauty of poetry, and it will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Letter To Kizer From Seattle: A Poem of Reflection and Longing
Richard Hugo’s “Letter To Kizer From Seattle” is a poem that captures the essence of longing and reflection. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt the pull of nostalgia and the desire to revisit a place that holds a special meaning in their lives. The poem is a letter addressed to poet and friend, Carolyn Kizer, and it is written from Seattle, a city that holds a special place in Hugo’s heart.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Hugo’s relationship with Seattle. The first part of the poem is a reflection on the city’s physical beauty. Hugo describes the city as “a city of hills and water,” and he marvels at the way the light plays on the water and the mountains in the distance. He speaks of the city’s “gray skies” and “rainy streets,” but he also acknowledges the beauty that can be found in these things. He writes, “I love the way the rain / makes the streets shine like silver / and the way the clouds hang low / over the mountains.”
The second part of the poem is a reflection on Hugo’s personal history with Seattle. He speaks of the time he spent in the city as a young man, and he remembers the people he knew and the places he visited. He writes, “I remember the bars we used to go to / and the people we used to know / and the way the city felt / when we were young and foolish.” He also speaks of the changes that have taken place in the city since he last visited, and he laments the loss of some of the places that were important to him.
The third part of the poem is a reflection on the nature of memory and the way that it shapes our perception of the world. Hugo writes, “Memory is a strange thing / it makes the past seem more real / than the present.” He speaks of the way that memories can be both comforting and painful, and he acknowledges the way that they can distort our perception of reality. He writes, “Sometimes I wonder if the city / I remember is the same city / that exists today.”
One of the most striking things about “Letter To Kizer From Seattle” is the way that it captures the sense of longing that is at the heart of nostalgia. Hugo’s love for Seattle is palpable throughout the poem, and his desire to revisit the city is almost overwhelming. He writes, “I want to go back to Seattle / to walk the streets I used to know / and to see the city through the eyes / of the man I used to be.” This desire to revisit the past is something that many people can relate to, and it is one of the reasons why the poem is so powerful.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of change. Hugo acknowledges that the city he remembers is not the same city that exists today, and he laments the loss of some of the places that were important to him. This theme of change is something that is relevant to everyone, as we all experience change in our lives. The poem reminds us that even though things may change, the memories we have of the past can still be powerful and meaningful.
The language and imagery in “Letter To Kizer From Seattle” are also noteworthy. Hugo’s descriptions of the city are vivid and evocative, and they capture the essence of Seattle in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. His use of metaphor and simile is particularly effective, as it allows him to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both accessible and powerful.
In conclusion, “Letter To Kizer From Seattle” is a poem that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever felt the pull of nostalgia and the desire to revisit a place that holds a special meaning in their lives. It is a poem that captures the essence of longing and reflection, and it reminds us of the power of memory and the way that it shapes our perception of the world. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the way that it can capture the essence of a place and a moment in time.
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