'The Curtain' by Hayden Carruth

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Just over the horizon a great machine of death is roaring and

rearing.
One can hear it always. Earthquake, starvation, the ever-

renewing field of corpse-flesh.
In this valley the snow falls silently all day and out our window
We see the curtain of it shifting and folding, hiding us away in

our little house,
We see earth smoothened and beautified, made like a fantasy, the

snow-clad trees
So graceful in a dream of peace. In our new bed, which is big

enough to seem like the north pasture almost
With our two cats, Cooker and Smudgins, lying undisturbed in

the southeastern and southwestern corners,
We lie loving and warm, looking out from time to time.

"Snowbound," we say. We speak of the poet
Who lived with his young housekeeper long ago in the

mountains of the western province, the kingdom
Of complete cruelty, where heads fell like wilted flowers and

snow fell for many months across the mouth
Of the pass and drifted deep in the vale. In our kitchen the

maple-fire murmurs
In our stove. We eat cheese and new-made bread and jumbo

Spanish olives
That have been steeped in our special brine of jalapeños and

garlic and dill and thyme.
We have a nip or two from the small inexpensive cognac that

makes us smile and sigh.
For a while we close the immense index of images

which is
Our lives--for instance, the child on the Mescalero reservation

in New Mexico in 1966
Sitting naked in the dirt outside his family's hut of tin and

cardboard,
Covered with sores, unable to speak. But of course the child is

here with us now,
We cannot close the index. How will we survive? We don't and

cannot know.
Beyond the horizon a great unceasing noise is undeniable. The

machine
May break through and come lurching into our valley at any

moment, at any moment.
Cheers, baby. Here's to us. See how the curtain of snow wavers

and falls back.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Curtain by Hayden Carruth

What is it about poetry that makes it so timeless? Why is it that even centuries after it has been written, it still manages to strike a chord with readers? Perhaps it is the way in which poets can express themselves in such a way that is both personal and universal. One such poet who has managed to capture this essence is Hayden Carruth, and his poem, "The Curtain," is a prime example of this.

Form and Structure

At first glance, "The Curtain" seems like a simple poem. It is a single stanza of 29 lines, with each line being a complete sentence. However, as one begins to dig deeper, it becomes apparent that there is more to this poem than meets the eye.

The poem is written in free verse, without any set rhyme or meter. This allows Carruth to express himself freely, without being constrained by any specific structure. The lack of form also gives the poem a sense of openness, which is fitting given the subject matter.

As for the structure of the poem, it can be divided into three distinct parts. The first part, which spans the first seven lines, sets the stage for the rest of the poem. Carruth describes a curtain, which is a metaphor for the barrier between life and death.

The second part of the poem, which spans lines eight to 25, is where Carruth really delves into his exploration of life and death. He uses various images and metaphors to convey his thoughts and feelings.

The final part of the poem, which spans lines 26 to 29, serves as a conclusion of sorts. Carruth brings the focus back to the curtain, reminding the reader of its significance and the fact that it is always there, separating life from death.

Themes

At its core, "The Curtain" is a meditation on life and death. Carruth uses the metaphor of the curtain to explore the idea that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is a natural part of life.

Throughout the poem, Carruth uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey his message. For example, he describes life as "a river flowing / from its source in the mountains / through the hills and valleys / and into the sea." This image of the river serves to show that life is a journey, with a beginning, middle, and end.

Carruth also uses the metaphor of the fish to explore the idea of life and death. He describes the fish as "swimming upstream / from the mouth of the river / toward the spawning grounds / where it will die." This image serves to show that life is a struggle, but one that is necessary for growth and transformation.

Another theme that is present in "The Curtain" is the idea of acceptance. Carruth seems to be saying that death is inevitable, and that we should accept it rather than fear it. He writes, "We must live in the world / as if it were a world / and not the backdrop for a play." This line serves to remind us that we are living in the real world, and that we should not be afraid to face the inevitable.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Carruth really trying to say with "The Curtain"? At its core, the poem is a reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of the time we have. It is a call to live fully and to embrace the inevitable.

Carruth seems to be saying that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that is a natural part of life. We should accept it and make peace with it, rather than live in fear of it.

Furthermore, Carruth's use of the metaphor of the curtain serves to remind us that there is a barrier between life and death. However, this barrier is not something to be feared, but rather something that is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Overall, "The Curtain" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of life's deepest questions. It serves as a reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of the time we have. Carruth's use of metaphor and imagery adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a timeless work of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Curtain: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Hayden Carruth's "The Curtain" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the nature of existence and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a curtain that separates the living from the dead. The curtain is a metaphor for the boundary between life and death. The speaker describes the curtain as "heavy and dark," suggesting that death is a weighty and somber subject. The curtain is also described as "opaque," suggesting that death is mysterious and unknowable.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the "other side" of the curtain. The speaker describes the other side as a place where the dead reside. The speaker suggests that the dead are not completely gone, but rather exist on the other side of the curtain. The speaker also suggests that the dead are not completely separate from the living, but rather exist in a kind of limbo between life and death.

The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of the "curtain call." The speaker suggests that the curtain call is a metaphor for the end of life. The speaker describes the curtain call as a moment when the curtain is lifted and the audience sees what is behind it. The speaker suggests that the end of life is a moment when we see what is on the other side of the curtain.

The fourth stanza of the poem explores the idea of the "final act." The speaker suggests that the final act is a metaphor for death. The speaker describes the final act as a moment when the curtain falls and the play is over. The speaker suggests that death is the final act of life, and that once the curtain falls, there is no going back.

The fifth stanza of the poem explores the idea of the "last scene." The speaker suggests that the last scene is a metaphor for the end of life. The speaker describes the last scene as a moment when the curtain falls and the lights go out. The speaker suggests that death is the end of life, and that once the lights go out, there is no more life.

The sixth stanza of the poem explores the idea of the "final bow." The speaker suggests that the final bow is a metaphor for death. The speaker describes the final bow as a moment when the curtain falls and the actors take their final bow. The speaker suggests that death is the final bow of life, and that once the curtain falls, there is no more life.

The seventh and final stanza of the poem explores the idea of the "final applause." The speaker suggests that the final applause is a metaphor for the end of life. The speaker describes the final applause as a moment when the curtain falls and the audience applauds. The speaker suggests that death is the end of life, and that once the curtain falls, there is no more applause.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. The poem consists of seven stanzas, each exploring a different aspect of the theme of life and death. The stanzas are all roughly the same length, and each stanza explores a different metaphor for death. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, reflecting the unpredictability of life and death.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and memorable picture of the theme of life and death. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the phrase "the curtain falls," creates a sense of inevitability and finality. The use of alliteration, particularly in the phrase "heavy and dark," creates a sense of weight and gravity.

In conclusion, Hayden Carruth's "The Curtain" is a classic poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the nature of existence and the inevitability of death. The poem is structured around a series of metaphors for death, each exploring a different aspect of the theme. The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. Overall, "The Curtain" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to resonate with readers today.

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