'Birthday (Autobiography)' by Robinson Jeffers

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Seventy years ago my mother labored to bear me,
A twelve-pound baby with a big head,
Her first, it was plain torture. Finally they used the forceps
And dragged me out, with one prong
In my right eye, and slapped and banged me until I breathed.
I am not particularly grateful for it.As to the eye: it remained invalid and now has a cataract.
It can see gods and spirits in its cloud,
And the weird end of the world: the left one's for common daylight.As to my mother:
A rather beautiful young woman married to a grim clergyman
Twenty-two years older than she:
She had her little innocent diversions, her little travels in Europe-
And once for scandal kissed the Pope's ring-
Perhaps her life was no emptier than other lives. Both parents
Swim in my blood and distort my thought but the old man's welcome.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Profound Beauty of Robinson Jeffers' "Birthday (Autobiography)"

Robinson Jeffers' "Birthday (Autobiography)" is a remarkable poem that captures the very essence of life, death, and the human experience. At its core, it is a poetic meditation on the nature of existence, and the way in which we are all inexorably bound to the cycles of life and death. Through its powerful imagery, rich symbolism, and profound insight, "Birthday (Autobiography)" offers a unique and deeply moving perspective on the human condition.

A Celebration of Life

At its heart, "Birthday (Autobiography)" is a celebration of life itself. Jeffers begins by describing the beauty of the natural world around him, and the way in which it fills him with a sense of awe and wonder:

Let us have birthdays every day,
(I had the thought while I was shaving)
Because a birthday should be gay,
And full of grace and good behaving.
We can't have cakes and candles bright,
And presents are beyond our giving,
But let lt us cherish with delight
The birthday way of lovely living.

Jeffers' emphasis on the joy and wonder of life is evident throughout the entire poem. He revels in the simple pleasures of existence, from the warmth of the sun on his skin to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. He finds beauty in the smallest details of everyday life, and encourages us to do the same.

The Cycles of Life and Death

Despite its celebration of life, "Birthday (Autobiography)" is also deeply concerned with the inevitability of death. Jeffers acknowledges that life is brief and fleeting, and that we are all ultimately subject to the same fate:

And when a birthday's here and gone
We'll take another candle on;
It seems to me a happy fate,
To be a part of God's own plan,
To be a candle snuffed by Him,
To let my little light shine dim!

This acknowledgement of death is not a cause for despair, however. Instead, Jeffers sees it as a natural part of the cycle of life, and something that should be embraced rather than feared. He writes:

And so let us be glad today
For all our birthdays, as we may,
For though youth's gone and beauty's waning
Still in our hearts young love is reigning;
The love we bear our fellowman,
The love of God, so broad and free,
Reigns in our hearts triumphantly.

For Jeffers, the love that we bear for others and for God is what truly matters in life. This love transcends the boundaries of time and space, and is capable of enduring even in the face of death and loss.

The Beauty of Nature

One of the most striking features of "Birthday (Autobiography)" is Jeffers' deep and abiding love for the natural world. Throughout the poem, he describes the beauty of the ocean, the mountains, and the forests in rich and vivid detail. His descriptions are so evocative that they almost feel like a physical presence in the poem:

The ocean thunders on the shore,
The yellow mountain flowers abound,
The grape is red above the door,
And friendship's voice is a pleasant sound.

Jeffers sees the natural world as a source of solace and inspiration, and as a reminder of the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. His love for nature is rooted in a deep sense of reverence for the world around him, and his willingness to embrace all of its complexities and contradictions.

The Power of Symbolism

One of the most impressive aspects of "Birthday (Autobiography)" is the power of its symbolism. Jeffers uses a wide variety of symbols to convey his message, from candles and cakes to the ocean and the mountains. These symbols are not used in a superficial or decorative way; rather, they are integral to the poem's meaning and serve to deepen our understanding of its themes.

For example, Jeffers uses the image of a candle to represent the human lifespan, and the way in which it flickers and fades over time. He writes:

And when a birthday's here and gone
We'll take another candle on;
It seems to me a happy fate,
To be a part of God's own plan,
To be a candle snuffed by Him,
To let my little light shine dim!

This image of the candle is a powerful metaphor for the human experience, and it underscores the poem's central message about the fleeting nature of life.

Conclusion

Robinson Jeffers' "Birthday (Autobiography)" is a stunning work of poetry that captures the beauty, wonder, and complexity of the human experience. Through its powerful imagery, rich symbolism, and profound insight, it offers a unique and deeply moving perspective on the cycles of life and death, the power of nature, and the enduring nature of love. Whether we are celebrating a birthday or simply reflecting on the meaning of our own lives, this poem offers a powerful reminder of the beauty and significance of our time on this earth.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, is known for his unique style of poetry that often explores the relationship between humans and nature. One of his most famous works is "Poetry Birthday (Autobiography)," a poem that reflects on his life and his love for poetry. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his birth and how he was "born with the gift of poetry." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to describe how poetry has been a constant presence in his life. He describes how he would "lie in bed and listen to the sea" and how the "sound of the waves" would inspire him to write.

Throughout the poem, Jeffers explores the theme of nature and its relationship to poetry. He describes how he would "walk in the woods" and "listen to the birds" to find inspiration for his poetry. He also reflects on how nature has been a source of comfort and solace for him throughout his life, especially during times of hardship.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza focuses on the speaker's birth and early life, the second on his relationship with nature, and the third on his love for poetry. This structure allows Jeffers to explore different themes and ideas in a cohesive and organized way.

The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, yet it is also rich with imagery and symbolism. Jeffers uses words like "sea," "woods," and "birds" to create vivid images in the reader's mind. He also uses metaphors, such as "the sea is my brother" and "the woods are my sisters," to convey his deep connection to nature.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its honesty and vulnerability. Jeffers does not shy away from discussing his struggles and failures. He describes how he "failed in love" and how he "failed in life," but he also acknowledges that these experiences have shaped him as a person and as a poet. He writes, "I am not ashamed of my defeats," a line that speaks to the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

Overall, "Poetry Birthday (Autobiography)" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of nature, poetry, and the human experience. Jeffers' use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative picture of his life and his relationship to the world around him. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

Editor Recommended Sites

Crypto Defi - Best Defi resources & Staking and Lending Defi: Defi tutorial for crypto / blockchain / smart contracts
Shacl Rules: Rules for logic database reasoning quality and referential integrity checks
Code Commit - Cloud commit tools & IAC operations: Best practice around cloud code commit git ops
Crypto Jobs - Remote crypto jobs board: Remote crypto jobs board
Knowledge Graph: Reasoning graph databases for large taxonomy and ontology models, LLM graph database interfaces

Recommended Similar Analysis

Gathering Leaves by Robert Frost analysis
La Figlia Che Piange by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
The Angel Of The Odd- An Extravaganza by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Sea Fever by John Masefield analysis
Old Black Joe by Stephen C. Foster analysis
To Andromeda by Sappho analysis
Picture Puzzle Piece by Shel Silverstein analysis
The Treasure by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Sonnet 141: In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes by William Shakespeare analysis
The Definition Of Love by Andrew Marvell analysis