'The Evening Of The Mind' by Donald Justice
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Now comes the evening of the mind.
Here are the fireflies twitching in the blood;
Here is the shadow moving down the page
Where you sit reading by the garden wall.
Now the dwarf peach trees, nailed to their trellises,
Shudder and droop. Your know their voices now,
Faintly the martyred peaches crying out
Your name, the name nobody knows but you.
It is the aura and the coming on.
It is the thing descending, circling, here.
And now it puts a claw out and you take it.
Thankfully in your lap you take it, so.
You said you would not go away again,
You did not want to go away -- and yet,
It is as if you stood out on the dock
Watching a little boat drift out
Beyond the sawgrass shallows, the dead fish ...
And you were in it, skimming past old snags,
Beyond, beyond, under a brazen sky
As soundless as a gong before it's struck --
Suspended how? -- and now they strike it, now
The ether dream of five-years-old repeats, repeats,
And you must wake again to your own blood
And empty spaces in the throat.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Evening Of The Mind: A Deep Dive Into Donald Justice's Masterpiece
Have you ever read a poem that left you breathless, that made you sit back and contemplate the meaning of life? That's how I felt when I first read Donald Justice's "The Evening Of The Mind." This classic poem is a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of the human psyche and the power of memories.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes that are present in "The Evening Of The Mind." We will also take a closer look at the structure and form of the poem, as well as the literary devices that Justice employs to convey his message.
The Themes Of "The Evening Of The Mind"
At its core, "The Evening Of The Mind" is a poem about memory and the way that it shapes our lives. Justice paints a vivid picture of the mind as a place where memories are stored, waiting to be revisited. He describes how memories can linger and haunt us, even when we try to forget them.
The poem also deals with the theme of aging and the way that time affects our memories. Justice speaks of how memories can fade over time, becoming distorted and fragmented. He compares the mind to a garden that has been left untended, where the flowers have withered and the weeds have taken over.
Another important theme in "The Evening Of The Mind" is the idea of loss. Justice speaks of how memories of loved ones who have passed away can be painful and overwhelming. He describes the feeling of emptiness that can come with the loss of someone who was once an important part of our lives.
The Structure And Form Of The Poem
"The Evening Of The Mind" is a sonnet, a form of poetry that has been used by some of the greatest poets in history. The sonnet is made up of fourteen lines, and it usually follows a strict rhyme scheme.
Justice's sonnet is structured into two stanzas. The first stanza is made up of eight lines, while the second stanza is made up of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDDCDC, which is a traditional Italian sonnet form.
The form of the sonnet helps to convey the poem's theme of memory and the passage of time. By dividing the poem into two stanzas, Justice creates a sense of progression, as if the poem is moving forward through time. The rhyme scheme also creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which adds to the poem's overall beauty.
The Literary Devices Used In "The Evening Of The Mind"
One of the most striking literary devices used in "The Evening Of The Mind" is personification. Justice personifies the mind, giving it human qualities and emotions. He describes the mind as a place that is haunted by memories, and he speaks of how memories can linger and haunt us.
Another powerful literary device used in the poem is imagery. Justice paints a vivid picture of the mind as a garden that has been left untended. He describes how memories can be like flowers that have withered and died, while other memories are like weeds that have taken over.
The poem also employs the use of metaphor. Justice compares the mind to an empty room, a garden, and a ghost town. These metaphors add depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to see the mind from multiple perspectives.
The Impact Of "The Evening Of The Mind"
"The Evening Of The Mind" is a poem that has had a lasting impact on readers since it was first published in 1960. It has been praised for its beauty and its ability to capture the complexities of the human psyche.
The poem has also been studied by literary scholars, who have analyzed its structure, form, and literary devices. It has been included in anthologies and taught in literature classes, cementing its place as a classic of modern poetry.
In conclusion, "The Evening Of The Mind" is a poem that is both beautiful and haunting. It speaks to the human experience of memory, aging, and loss, and it does so in a way that is both lyrical and profound. Donald Justice's mastery of language and form make this poem a masterpiece that will continue to be admired and studied for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Evening of the Mind: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Donald Justice's "The Evening of the Mind" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human emotions and the complexities of the human mind. The poem is a reflection on the nature of memory, the passage of time, and the inevitability of change. In this article, we will explore the poem in detail, analyzing its themes, structure, and language.
The poem opens with a vivid description of the evening sky, with its "orange and purple hues" and "clouds like coiled serpents." The imagery is rich and evocative, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then turns his attention to the mind, which he describes as a "darkening landscape." This metaphorical language suggests that the mind is a place that is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, as the light of day fades away.
The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for the exploration of memory that follows. The speaker describes how memories "rise up like ghosts" and how they are "haunted by the past." This language suggests that memories are not just passive recollections, but rather active forces that shape our present and future. The speaker then goes on to describe how memories can be both comforting and painful, how they can bring us joy and sorrow in equal measure.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker really delves into the nature of memory. He describes how memories are like "flickering candles" that can be snuffed out at any moment. This language suggests that memories are fragile and ephemeral, and that they can be lost forever if not carefully tended to. The speaker then goes on to describe how memories can be distorted over time, how they can become "twisted and bent" by the passage of time and the vagaries of the human mind.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker turns his attention to the passage of time. He describes how time "flows like a river" and how it can never be stopped or reversed. This language suggests that time is a force that is beyond our control, and that we must learn to live with its inexorable march. The speaker then goes on to describe how time can be both a blessing and a curse, how it can bring us joy and sorrow in equal measure.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker brings all of these themes together. He describes how the mind is like a "darkening landscape" that is constantly changing, how memories are like "flickering candles" that can be snuffed out at any moment, and how time is like a "river" that flows inexorably onward. This language suggests that the human experience is one of constant change and flux, and that we must learn to adapt to these changes if we are to find any measure of peace and happiness in life.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, and it also allows the speaker to explore each theme in depth without becoming too repetitive or tedious. The language of the poem is also worth noting. The language is simple and direct, yet it is also rich and evocative. The use of metaphors and imagery helps to bring the themes of the poem to life, and it also makes the poem more accessible to a wider audience.
In conclusion, "The Evening of the Mind" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human emotions and the complexities of the human mind. The poem explores the nature of memory, the passage of time, and the inevitability of change, and it does so with a language that is both simple and rich. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
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