'After Us' by Connie Wanek
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I don't know if we're in the beginning
or in the final stage.
-- Tomas Transtrmer
Rain is falling through the roof.
And all that prospered under the sun,
the books that opened in the morning
and closed at night, and all day
turned their pages to the light;
the sketches of boats and strong forearms
and clever faces, and of fields
and barns, and of a bowl of eggs,
and lying across the piano
the silver stick of a flute; everything
invented and imagined,
everything whispered and sung,
all silenced by cold rain.
The sky is the color of gravestones.
The rain tastes like salt, and rises
in the streets like a ruinous tide.
We spoke of millions, of billions of years.
We talked and talked.
Then a drop of rain fell
into the sound hole of the guitar, another
onto the unmade bed. And after us,
the rain will cease or it will go on falling,
even upon itself.
Editor 1 Interpretation
After Us: A Masterpiece by Connie Wanek
Are you a fan of poetry? If yes, then you have heard about the celebrated poem, "After Us," written by Connie Wanek. If not, then you have been missing out on the beauty and depth of contemporary poetry. "After Us" is an exceptional piece of literature that has won the admiration and respect of poetry lovers worldwide. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, style, and literary devices used in "After Us," and why it deserves to be hailed as a masterpiece.
Background
Connie Wanek is a celebrated American poet who has won numerous awards for her work. She was born in Wisconsin, USA, in 1952, and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her poetry is known for its simplicity, precision, and attention to nature. "After Us" was published in 2002, and it has since become one of her most popular poems. It has been featured in several anthologies and has been translated into various languages.
Literary Analysis
Theme
One of the primary themes in "After Us" is the transience of life. The poem explores how everything in life is impermanent and how nature continues to exist even after humans have perished. The poem starts with a description of a house that has been abandoned for a long time. The windows are broken, the doors are unhinged, and the garden is overgrown with weeds. The house is a metaphor for human life, which can be beautiful and vibrant but eventually becomes old, worn-out, and forgotten.
The poem then shifts to nature, which is depicted as eternal and ever-changing. The trees continue to grow, the birds continue to sing, and the seasons continue to change. The poem suggests that humans may be the dominant species on earth, but they are only temporary residents. The message is clear; life is transient, and nothing lasts forever.
Style
The style of "After Us" is simple yet sophisticated. The poem is written in free verse and has no rhyme or meter. The lack of a strict structure allows the poet to convey her message in a more natural and unforced manner. The poem is divided into stanzas of varying lengths, which creates a sense of rhythm and flow.
Wanek's use of imagery is also noteworthy. She paints vivid pictures of the abandoned house and the overgrown garden, and then contrasts it with the beauty of nature. The imagery is not only descriptive but also symbolic. The abandoned house represents human life, while nature represents the eternal cycle of life.
Literary Devices
Wanek employs several literary devices to enhance the impact of her poem. One such device is metaphor, where the abandoned house is compared to human life. The metaphor creates a sense of irony, as the house was once full of life but is now empty and forgotten.
The poem also uses personification, where nature is given human-like qualities. The trees are described as "stretching their arms" and the wind is described as "whispering secrets." This personification brings nature to life and makes it more relatable.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "after us" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the transience of human life and the continuity of nature.
Interpretation
The poem "After Us" has several interpretations, depending on the reader's perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is a reminder of our mortality and the impermanence of life. It suggests that we should not cling to material possessions or power, but instead appreciate the beauty of life and nature.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on human impact on the environment. The abandoned house and the overgrown garden are a result of human neglect, while nature continues to thrive despite human interference. The poem suggests that we should take better care of the planet and appreciate the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "After Us" by Connie Wanek is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry. The poem's theme of transience, its sophisticated style, and effective use of literary devices make it an exceptional piece of literature. The poem is a reminder of our mortality and the continuity of nature, and it encourages us to appreciate life and the natural world. If you haven't read "After Us" yet, we highly recommend that you do.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
After Us: A Poem of Reflection and Hope
Connie Wanek’s poem “After Us” is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem is a reflection on the impact that humans have on the environment and the hope that nature will eventually reclaim what has been taken from it. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Wanek creates a sense of urgency and a call to action for readers to take responsibility for their actions and protect the world around them.
The poem begins with a description of a landscape that has been altered by human activity. The speaker describes a “field of asphalt” and “a parking lot” where there used to be “a meadow of wildflowers.” This image immediately sets the tone for the poem and highlights the destructive impact that humans have on the natural world. The use of the word “field” suggests that the asphalt and parking lot have taken over a large area, while the mention of the “meadow of wildflowers” emphasizes the beauty and diversity that has been lost.
Wanek then goes on to describe the natural world that still exists despite human interference. The speaker describes “a river that flows / through a valley of granite” and “a forest of oak and pine.” These images create a sense of contrast between the natural world and the man-made world. The river and forest are described in a way that suggests they are untouched by human activity, and therefore represent a sense of hope for the future.
The poem then takes a turn towards the future, with the speaker imagining a time when humans are no longer present. The speaker asks, “What will they make of us, / the people who come after us?” This question is a powerful one, as it forces readers to consider the legacy that they will leave behind. The use of the word “make” suggests that the people who come after us will have to piece together the story of our existence from the remnants that we leave behind.
Wanek then goes on to describe the remnants that humans will leave behind. The speaker describes “a rusted-out car / sunk in tall grass” and “a broken sign / that says, ‘Keep Out.’” These images create a sense of decay and abandonment, and suggest that the world will eventually reclaim what has been taken from it. The use of the word “broken” to describe the sign emphasizes the idea that the rules and boundaries that humans have created will eventually be meaningless.
The poem ends with a sense of hope, as the speaker imagines a world where nature has reclaimed what has been taken from it. The speaker describes “a meadow of wildflowers / where the parking lot used to be” and “a river that flows / where the asphalt was torn up.” These images create a sense of renewal and rebirth, and suggest that even though humans have caused damage to the environment, there is still hope for the future.
Overall, “After Us” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages readers to consider their impact on the environment. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Wanek creates a sense of urgency and a call to action for readers to take responsibility for their actions and protect the world around them. The poem is a reminder that even though humans have caused damage to the environment, there is still hope for the future if we take action now.
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