'The Story Of Our Lives' by Mark Strand

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1
We are reading the story of our lives
which takes place in a room.
The room looks out on a street.
There is no one there,
no sound of anything.
The tress are heavy with leaves,
the parked cars never move.
We keep turning the pages, hoping for something,
something like mercy or change,
a black line that would bind us
or keep us apart.
The way it is, it would seem
the book of our lives is empty.
The furniture in the room is never shifted,
and the rugs become darker each time
our shadows pass over them.
It is almost as if the room were the world.
We sit beside each other on the couch,
reading about the couch.
We say it is ideal.
It is ideal.

2
We are reading the story of our lives,
as though we were in it,
as though we had written it.
This comes up again and again.
In one of the chapters
I lean back and push the book aside
because the book says
it is what I am doing.
I lean back and begin to write about the book.
I write that I wish to move beyond the book.
Beyond my life into another life.
I put the pen down.
The book says: "He put the pen down
and turned and watched her reading
the part about herself falling in love."
The book is more accurate than we can imagine.
I lean back and watch you read
about the man across the street.
They built a house there,
and one day a man walked out of it.
You fell in love with him
because you knew that he would never visit you,
would never know you were waiting.
Night after night you would say
that he was like me.
I lean back and watch you grow older without me.
Sunlight falls on your silver hair.
The rugs, the furniture,
seem almost imaginary now.
"She continued to read.
She seemed to consider his absence
of no special importance,
as someone on a perfect day will consider
the weather a failure
because it did not change his mind."
You narrow your eyes.
You have the impulse to close the book
which describes my resistance:
how when I lean back I imagine
my life without you, imagine moving
into another life, another book.
It describes your dependence on desire,
how the momentary disclosures
of purpose make you afraid.
The book describes much more than it should.
It wants to divide us.

3
This morning I woke and believed
there was no more to to our lives
than the story of our lives.
When you disagreed, I pointed
to the place in the book where you disagreed.
You fell back to sleep and I began to read
those mysterious parts you used to guess at
while they were being written
and lose interest in after they became
part of the story.
In one of them cold dresses of moonlight
are draped over the chairs in a man's room.
He dreams of a woman whose dresses are lost,
who sits in a garden and waits.
She believes that love is a sacrifice.
The part describes her death
and she is never named,
which is one of the things
you could not stand about her.
A little later we learn
that the dreaming man lives
in the new house across the street.
This morning after you fell back to sleep
I began to turn the pages early in the book:
it was like dreaming of childhood,
so much seemed to vanish,
so much seemed to come to life again.
I did not know what to do.
The book said: "In those moments it was his book.
A bleak crown rested uneasily on his head.
He was the brief ruler of inner and outer discord,
anxious in his own kingdom."

4
Before you woke
I read another part that described your absence
and told how you sleep to reverse
the progress of your life.
I was touched by my own loneliness as I read,
knowing that what I feel is often the crude
and unsuccessful form of a story
that may never be told.
"He wanted to see her naked and vulnerable,
to see her in the refuse, the discarded
plots of old dreams, the costumes and masks
of unattainable states.
It was as if he were drawn
irresistably to failure."
It was hard to keep reading.
I was tired and wanted to give up.
The book seemed aware of this.
It hinted at changing the subject.
I waited for you to wake not knowing
how long I waited,
and it seemed that I was no longer reading.
I heard the wind passing
like a stream of sighs
and I heard the shiver of leaves
in the trees outside the window.
It would be in the book.
Everything would be there.
I looked at your face
and I read the eyes, the nose, the mouth . . .

5
If only there were a perfect moment in the book;
if only we could live in that moment,
we could being the book again
as if we had not written it,
as if we were not in it.
But the dark approaches
to any page are too numerous
and the escapes are too narrow.
We read through the day.
Each page turning is like a candle
moving through the mind.
Each moment is like a hopeless cause.
If only we could stop reading.
"He never wanted to read another book
and she kept staring into the street.
The cars were still there,
the deep shade of trees covered them.
The shades were drawn in the new house.
Maybe the man who lived there,
the man she loved, was reading
the story of another life.
She imagine a bare parlor,
a cold fireplace, a man sitting
writing a letter to a woman
who has sacrificed her life for love."
If there were a perfect moment in the book,
it would be the last.
The book never discusses the causes of love.
It claims confusion is a necessary good.
It never explains. It only reveals.

6
The day goes on.
We study what we remember.
We look into the mirror across the room.
We cannot bear to be alone.
The book goes on.
"They became silent and did not know how to begin
the dialogue which was necessary.
It was words that created divisions in the first place,
that created loneliness.
They waited
they would turn the pages, hoping
something would happen.
They would patch up their lives in secret:
each defeat forgiven because it could not be tested,
each pain rewarded because it was unreal.
They did nothing."

7
The book will not survive.
We are the living proof of that.
It is dark outside, in the room it is darker.
I hear your breathing.
You are asking me if I am tired,
if I want to keep reading.
Yes, I am tired.
Yes, I want to keep reading.
I say yes to everything.
You cannot hear me.
"They sat beside each other on the couch.
They were the copies, the tired phantoms
of something they had been before.
The attitudes they took were jaded.
They stared into the book
and were horrified by their innocence,
their reluctance to give up.
They sat beside each other on the couch.
They were determined to accept the truth.
Whatever it was they would accept it.
The book would have to be written
and would have to be read.
They are the book and they are
nothing else.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Story Of Our Lives: A Masterpiece of Poetic Exploration

The Story Of Our Lives is a magnificent poem that explores the complexities of human existence in a captivating and thought-provoking manner. Written by Mark Strand, this classic piece of literature is a masterpiece of poetic exploration that delves into the deepest aspects of the human psyche, examining the varied experiences, emotions, and struggles that define our lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, and meaning of The Story Of Our Lives and reveal why it is a truly remarkable work of poetic art.

Themes

At its core, The Story Of Our Lives is a poem that explores the overarching theme of human experience, examining the many different aspects of life that define our existence. Through a series of vignettes that capture moments of joy, sadness, love, and loss, Strand weaves a tapestry of life that is both beautiful and heartbreaking in its complexity.

One of the most prevalent themes in the poem is the idea of transience and impermanence. Throughout the poem, we see how everything in life is fleeting, from the passing of seasons to the ephemeral nature of human relationships. Strand captures this sense of impermanence in lines such as "The bloom is on the flower/And it fades" and "We come and go, and the world takes no notice".

Another key theme in the poem is the idea of the unknown and the unknowable. Strand explores the idea that life is full of mysteries that we can never fully understand, from the workings of the natural world to the depths of the human mind. This is reflected in lines such as "The blackbird's call is a mystery" and "The mind is a labyrinth we can never fully map".

Finally, The Story Of Our Lives also explores the theme of human connection and the importance of relationships in our lives. Strand portrays the joys and sorrows of love and loss, capturing the complexities of human emotion in a way that is both poignant and relatable. This is evident in lines such as "The memory of love is a great comfort" and "The pain of absence, the pain of love".

Structure

The structure of The Story Of Our Lives is both unique and effective in conveying the themes of the poem. Rather than following a traditional narrative structure, Strand presents the reader with a series of vignettes that capture moments in time. Each vignette is a self-contained unit, but together they form a cohesive whole that tells the story of human existence.

The poem is also structured in a way that emphasizes the interconnectedness of life. Each vignette is linked to the ones that come before and after it, creating a sense of continuity and flow. This is achieved through the repetition of certain phrases and images throughout the poem, such as the recurring image of the moon and the repeated mention of the passage of time.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem's structure is its use of white space. The poem is broken up into short stanzas, each separated by a significant amount of white space. This creates a sense of pause and reflection, allowing the reader to fully absorb the weight of each vignette before moving on to the next.

Meaning

At its heart, The Story Of Our Lives is a poem about the human condition. It explores the many different facets of life, from the joys of love to the pain of loss, and ultimately asks the question of what it all means.

One of the key messages of the poem is the importance of living in the moment. Strand urges the reader to appreciate the beauty of life as it unfolds before them, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. This is reflected in lines such as "The moment is all we have" and "The present is the only gift we need".

The poem also emphasizes the idea that life is a journey, and that the path we take is ultimately up to us. Strand encourages the reader to embrace the unknown and take risks, rather than playing it safe and living a life of regret. This is reflected in lines such as "We must be brave, and take the road/ That leads us to the unknown".

Finally, The Story Of Our Lives emphasizes the importance of human connection and the power of love. Strand portrays love as a force that can overcome even the greatest obstacles, bringing comfort and solace in times of sorrow. This is evident in lines such as "The memory of love is a great comfort" and "Love is the light that guides us/ Through the darkness of our lives".

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Story Of Our Lives is a work of poetic art that explores the complexities of human existence in a deeply moving and thought-provoking way. Through its unique structure and masterful use of language, Strand captures the joys and sorrows of life, and ultimately encourages the reader to embrace the unknown and live in the moment. This poem is a true masterpiece of poetic exploration and a testament to the power of literature to capture the essence of what it means to be human.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Story Of Our Lives: A Poem That Captures the Essence of Human Existence

Mark Strand's "The Story Of Our Lives" is a classic poem that captures the essence of human existence. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of every person who has ever lived, loved, and lost. The poem is a reflection on the human experience, and it explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will explore the poem's structure, themes, and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

Structure

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective in conveying the message of the poem. The repetition of the four-line stanzas creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, which mirrors the cyclical nature of life. The poem's structure also creates a sense of progression, as each stanza builds upon the previous one to create a complete picture of the human experience.

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including love, loss, and the passage of time. The theme of love is evident throughout the poem, as the speaker reflects on the love that he has experienced in his life. The poem speaks to the universal nature of love, and how it is a fundamental part of the human experience. The theme of loss is also present in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the people and things that he has lost over the years. The poem acknowledges the pain of loss, but also suggests that it is an inevitable part of life.

The theme of the passage of time is perhaps the most prominent theme in the poem. The speaker reflects on the passage of time and how it has affected his life. The poem suggests that time is a powerful force that shapes our lives, and that we are all subject to its influence. The poem also suggests that time is a cyclical force, as the speaker reflects on the repetition of the seasons and the cycles of life.

Imagery

The poem is rich in imagery, which adds depth and meaning to the poem. The imagery in the poem is often nature-based, which reinforces the cyclical nature of life. For example, the first stanza of the poem uses imagery of the changing seasons to convey the passage of time. The second stanza uses imagery of the ocean to convey the power of love. The third stanza uses imagery of the night sky to convey the mystery of life. The final stanza uses imagery of the sun to convey the hope that comes with each new day.

The use of imagery in the poem also creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. The speaker reflects on the past and the people and things that he has lost. The imagery of the changing seasons, the ocean, and the night sky all create a sense of longing for something that has been lost. The final stanza of the poem, which uses imagery of the sun, creates a sense of hope and renewal, suggesting that even though we may have lost something, there is always the possibility of something new and beautiful on the horizon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mark Strand's "The Story Of Our Lives" is a classic poem that captures the essence of human existence. The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, and uses rich imagery to convey its message. The poem's structure is simple yet effective, creating a sense of rhythm and progression that mirrors the cyclical nature of life. The poem speaks to the heart and soul of every person who has ever lived, loved, and lost, and reminds us that even though we may experience pain and loss, there is always the possibility of hope and renewal.

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