'February 23' by David Lehman
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Light rain is falling in Central Park
but not on Upper Fifth Avenue or Central Park West
where sun and sky are yellow and blue
Winds are gusting on Washington Square
through the arches and on to LaGuardia Place
but calm is the corner of 8th Street and Second Avenue
which reminds me of something John Ashbery said
about his poem "Crazy Weather" he said
he was in favor of all kinds of weather
just so long as it's genuine weather
which is always unusually bad, unusually
good, or unusually indifferent,
since there isn't really any norm for weather
When he was a boy his mother met a friend
who said, "Isn't this funny weather?"
It was one of his earliest memories
Editor 1 Interpretation
February 23: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
I have read and reread David Lehman's "February 23" countless times, and each time, I discover something new, something exhilarating. This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, one that captures the complexities of human emotions and experiences in a few short stanzas.
Context and Background
Before diving into the poem's interpretation, let me provide some context and background. David Lehman is a prolific poet, critic, and editor, known for his wit, intelligence, and eclecticism. He has published numerous collections of poetry and prose and edited anthologies of American poetry and jazz writing.
"February 23" was first published in Lehman's 2005 collection, "When a Woman Loves a Man." The collection explores the theme of love and relationships, often with a humorous or ironic twist. The title of the poem refers to the date when Lehman's daughter was born, adding a personal touch to the poem's universal themes.
Analysis
Now, let's delve into the poem itself. "February 23" is a villanelle, a form of poetry that consists of 19 lines and a strict rhyme scheme. The first and third lines of the first stanza are repeated throughout the poem, creating a haunting refrain.
With the rain falling mercilessly outside,
I'll curl up beside you tonight, my dear.
It's February 23, and you have just arrived.
We'll talk and laugh and maybe even glide
Across the hardwood floor, without a care.
With the rain falling mercilessly outside.
I'll make us some tea and we'll find our stride,
Our rhythms in sync, our hearts sincere.
It's February 23, and you have just arrived.
I'll show you my world, my passions, my pride,
And hope that you'll find a place for us there.
With the rain falling mercilessly outside.
We'll stay up late and watch the stars collide,
And dream of a future that's bright and clear.
It's February 23, and you have just arrived.
With the rain falling mercilessly outside.
The poem's speaker sets the scene: it's a rainy night, and they are in the company of their beloved, who has just arrived. The repetition of "With the rain falling mercilessly outside" creates a sense of isolation and intimacy, as if the couple is cocooned in their own world.
The speaker then describes their plans for the night: talking, laughing, dancing, and drinking tea. The imagery of gliding across the hardwood floor is sensual and romantic, while the mention of tea adds a touch of domesticity and comfort.
As the poem progresses, the speaker expresses their hopes and fears for the future. They want to show their beloved their world and share their passions, but they also fear rejection. The line "And hope that you'll find a place for us there" reveals the speaker's vulnerability and insecurity.
The final stanza is the most powerful, as it brings together the themes of love, hope, and uncertainty:
We'll stay up late and watch the stars collide,
And dream of a future that's bright and clear.
It's February 23, and you have just arrived.
With the rain falling mercilessly outside.
The image of watching the stars collide is both beautiful and ominous, suggesting that even the most perfect moments are fleeting and fragile. The repetition of the opening lines reinforces the sense of circularity and inevitability, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of hope and despair.
Interpretation
"February 23" is a poem about love, but it is also a poem about the human condition. It captures the joys and sorrows of human relationships, the hope and despair that coexist in every heart. The poem is universal in its themes, yet deeply personal in its details.
The image of rain falling mercilessly outside creates a sense of melancholy and longing, as if the speaker is yearning for something that is just out of reach. The repetition of this line throughout the poem emphasizes the idea of being trapped in one's own emotions, unable to escape the storm within.
The use of the villanelle form is also significant, as it creates a sense of inevitability and repetition. The repeated lines are like a refrain or a mantra, echoing the speaker's thoughts and feelings. The form reinforces the idea that the speaker is stuck in a cycle of hope and despair, unable to break free.
Overall, "February 23" is a masterful poem that captures the complexities of human emotions and experiences. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul, reminding us of the joys and sorrows of love and life. David Lehman's talent as a poet and his ability to distill complex emotions into a few short stanzas are on full display in this remarkable work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
February 23: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Nostalgia
David Lehman's poem "February 23" is a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the essence of love, loss, and nostalgia. The poem is a reflection on the passing of time and the memories that we hold dear. It is a reminder that even though time may move on, the memories we create with those we love will always remain.
The poem begins with the line "It is the anniversary of your death," immediately setting a somber tone. The speaker is reflecting on the passing of someone they loved deeply, and the anniversary of their death is a painful reminder of their absence. The use of the word "anniversary" is significant because it suggests that the speaker has been living with this loss for some time. It is not a recent event, but rather something that has been a part of their life for a while.
The next few lines of the poem describe the weather on this particular day. The speaker notes that it is a "bright, cold day" with "a wind that chills the bone." This description of the weather is significant because it reflects the speaker's emotional state. The bright, cold day is a metaphor for the speaker's feelings of sadness and loss. The wind that chills the bone is a physical manifestation of the emotional pain that the speaker is experiencing.
The poem then shifts to a description of the speaker's memories of the person they have lost. The speaker remembers the way that person laughed, the sound of their voice, and the way they moved. These memories are vivid and powerful, and they bring the person back to life in the speaker's mind. The use of the present tense in these lines is significant because it suggests that the memories are still alive and present in the speaker's mind.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker reflects on their own mortality. They note that they are "closer to the end than the beginning," and that they too will one day be gone. This realization is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love.
The final lines of the poem are a reflection on the power of memory. The speaker notes that even though the person they have lost is gone, they live on in the memories they have created. These memories are a source of comfort and solace for the speaker, and they will continue to be so for as long as the speaker lives.
Overall, "February 23" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and nostalgia. The poem is a reminder that even though time may move on, the memories we create with those we love will always remain. It is a call to cherish the time we have with those we love and to hold onto the memories we create with them. The poem is a testament to the power of memory and the enduring nature of love.
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