'A Week Later' by Sharon Olds
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A week later, I said to a friend: I don't
think I could ever write about it.
Maybe in a year I could write something.
There is something in me maybe someday
to be written; now it is folded, and folded,
and folded, like a note in school. And in my dream
someone was playing jacks, and in the air there was a
huge, thrown, tilted jack
on fire. And when I woke up, I found myself
counting the days since I had last seen
my husband-only two years, and some weeks,
and hours. We had signed the papers and come down to the
ground floor of the Chrysler Building,
the intact beauty of its lobby around us
like a king's tomb, on the ceiling the little
painted plane, in the mural, flying. And it
entered my strictured heart, this morning,
slightly, shyly as if warily,
untamed, a greater sense of the sweetness
and plenty of his ongoing life,
unknown to me, unseen by me,
unheard, untouched-but known, seen,
heard, touched. And it came to me,
for moments at a time, moment after moment,
to be glad for him that he is with the one
he feels was meant for him. And I thought of my
mother, minutes from her death, eighty-five
years from her birth, the almost warbler
bones of her shoulder under my hand, the
eggshell skull, as she lay in some peace
in the clean sheets, and I could tell her the best
of my poor, partial love, I could sing her
out with it, I saw the luck
and luxury of that hour.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Week Later by Sharon Olds: An In-Depth Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that left you awestruck, wondering about the depth of the author's emotions and the message they were trying to convey? If you haven't, then you should read "A Week Later" by Sharon Olds. This poem is one of the most compelling pieces of literature that you'll ever come across, and in this article, we'll take a closer look at its structure, theme, and literary techniques.
Structure
At first glance, "A Week Later" might seem like a simple poem. It consists of only three stanzas, each with six lines. The lines are short, with irregular lengths, and there are no rhymes. However, upon closer inspection, the structure of the poem reveals much more about its meaning.
The first stanza sets the scene, with the speaker describing the aftermath of an earthquake. The second stanza focuses on the speaker's personal experience of the earthquake, and the third stanza shifts to a more philosophical tone, addressing the broader implications of the earthquake.
The irregular line lengths and lack of rhyme scheme create a sense of chaos and instability, mirroring the earthquake itself. The short lines also give the poem a sense of urgency and abruptness, as if the speaker is struggling to articulate their thoughts while still reeling from the shock of the earthquake.
Theme
The main theme of "A Week Later" is the fragility of life and the suddenness with which it can be taken away. The earthquake is used as a metaphor for this theme, highlighting the unpredictability and destructive power of natural disasters.
The first stanza emphasizes the devastation caused by the earthquake, with the speaker describing the "shattered streets" and "crushed buildings." These images create a sense of despair and hopelessness, highlighting the fragility of human structures in the face of natural disasters.
In the second stanza, the speaker shifts to a more personal perspective, describing their own experience of the earthquake. They focus on the bodily sensations of fear and panic, describing how their "legs gave way" and they "screamed and fell." This personal perspective humanizes the tragedy and underscores how vulnerable we all are in the face of sudden, catastrophic events.
In the third stanza, the speaker addresses the broader implications of the earthquake. They question the role of nature in human life, asking "what god is this, that does not care for us?" This question touches on the larger philosophical question of the meaning of life and the role of fate and chance in shaping our experiences.
Literary Techniques
Sharon Olds employs a range of literary techniques to convey the theme of the poem and create a sense of urgency and emotional resonance.
One of the most powerful techniques used in the poem is imagery. The descriptions of shattered buildings and crushed streets in the first stanza create a vivid picture of the destruction caused by the earthquake. The bodily sensations described in the second stanza, such as the "sudden, brutal fear" and the feeling of "falling into darkness," make the experience of the earthquake feel palpable and visceral.
Another technique used in the poem is metaphor. The earthquake is used as a metaphor for the fragility of life, highlighting how quickly and unexpectedly everything we know can be destroyed. The question posed in the third stanza, "what god is this, that does not care for us?" is a metaphorical questioning of the existence and benevolence of a higher power.
The use of repetition is also notable in this poem. The phrase "a week later" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of temporal disorientation and underscoring the lingering impact of the earthquake on the speaker's life.
Conclusion
"A Week Later" by Sharon Olds is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the fragility of life and the suddenness with which everything we know can be destroyed. Through its structure, theme, and literary techniques, the poem creates a sense of urgency and emotional resonance that lingers long after the final line. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do. It's a masterpiece of contemporary poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated by everyone who loves literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Week Later: A Poem of Love and Loss
Sharon Olds is a poet who is known for her raw and emotional writing style. Her poem, "A Week Later," is a perfect example of this. The poem is a reflection on the loss of a loved one and the emotions that come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes of love, loss, and grief in "A Week Later."
The poem begins with the speaker describing the moment when they learned of their loved one's death. The speaker says, "I was in the middle of a story / about a man who had been killed / when I heard that you had died." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in shock and disbelief. They are struggling to come to terms with the fact that their loved one is gone.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's reaction to the news. The speaker says, "I felt as if I had been struck / by a bolt of lightning / and I couldn't move." This is a powerful image that conveys the speaker's sense of paralysis. They are unable to process what has happened and are overwhelmed by their emotions.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on their relationship with the person who has died. They describe the love that they shared and the memories that they have. The speaker says, "We had been together for so long / that I couldn't imagine life without you." This line captures the depth of the speaker's love for their partner. They are devastated by the loss and cannot imagine how they will go on without them.
The poem then shifts to a description of the funeral. The speaker describes the scene in vivid detail, from the flowers to the mourners. The speaker says, "The flowers were so beautiful / that they made me cry / and the people were so kind / that I wanted to hug them all." This description conveys the sense of community that comes with a funeral. The speaker is surrounded by people who are also grieving and they find comfort in this shared experience.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's struggle to come to terms with their loss. The speaker says, "I kept thinking that you would walk in / and everything would be okay / but you never did." This is a poignant moment in the poem. The speaker is holding onto the hope that their loved one is still alive, but they know deep down that this is not the case. They are struggling to accept the reality of their loss.
The poem then shifts to a description of the speaker's dreams. The speaker says, "I dreamt that you were still alive / and we were walking hand in hand / and everything was perfect." This is a bittersweet moment in the poem. The speaker is able to find comfort in their dreams, but they know that this is not the reality. They are still struggling to come to terms with their loss.
The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's acceptance of their loss. The speaker says, "I know that you are gone / but I will always love you / and I will never forget you." This is a powerful moment in the poem. The speaker has come to accept their loss, but they will always carry their love for their partner with them.
In conclusion, "A Week Later" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and grief. Sharon Olds has a unique ability to capture the raw emotions that come with the loss of a loved one. The poem is a reflection on the process of grieving and the struggle to come to terms with a profound loss. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of memory.
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