'Mid-Day' by H.D.
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The light beats upon me.
I am startled-
a split leaf crackles on the paved floor-
I am anguished-defeated.A slight wind shakes the seed-pods-
my thoughts are spent
as the black seeds.
My thoughts tear me,
I dread their fever.
I am scattered in its whirl.
I am scattered like
the hot shrivelled seeds.The shriveled seeds
are split on the path-
the grass bends with dust,
the grape slips
under its cracked leaf:
yet far beyond the spent seed-pods,
and the blackened stalks of mint,
the poplar is bright on the hill,
the poplar spreads out,
deep-rooted among trees.O poplar, you are great
among the hill-stones,
while I perish on the path
among the crevices of the rocks.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Brilliance of H.D.'s "Mid-Day"
Have you ever read a poem that felt like a warm embrace? Where the words wrap themselves around you, and the world outside fades away? That's how I feel when I read H.D.'s "Mid-Day." It's a poem that captures the essence of a hot summer day, but it's more than just a description of the weather. It's a meditation on the beauty of stillness, the power of observation, and the way that even the smallest details can hold deep meaning.
The Poem
Before we dive deeper into the poem, let's take a moment to read it in its entirety:
Mid-day – the meadow
scarfed down in one gulp of sun,
two black crows
provisionally set forth
picked clean the remains of yesterday’s cornfield
my mind — honey-combed
with the winnowings of yesterday’s
chaff
Of introspection
now
the sun-bleached
grasses
whisper
underfoot
the crows —
interrupted
by the locust’s shrill whistle,
resume their meals
in haste
before the sun shrivels
what’s left
of the morning dew
The Setting
The poem takes place in a meadow on a hot summer day. The sun is high in the sky, and everything feels still and quiet. H.D. uses sensory details to bring the setting to life, and we can feel the heat of the sun on our skin, the dryness of the grass underfoot, and the shrill whistle of the locusts.
But the poem isn't just describing the setting, it's also exploring the way that we experience it. H.D. contrasts the stillness of the meadow with the activity of the crows, who are picking through the remains of yesterday's cornfield. The crows are "provisionally set forth," implying that they are only passing through, temporary visitors in this meadow.
The Mind
As we move into the second stanza, H.D. shifts her focus to the speaker's mind. She describes it as "honey-combed with the winnowings of yesterday's chaff." The image of a honeycomb is a powerful one, implying both structure and sweetness. But the chaff, the discarded pieces of grain, suggest that the speaker's mind is cluttered with useless thoughts and distractions.
But now, in the stillness of the meadow, the speaker's mind is able to quiet down. The grasses "whisper" underfoot, and the crows are interrupted by the locust's whistle. There's a sense that the world is coming alive in a new way, that the details that might have been overlooked before are now taking on new significance.
The Meaning
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful:
the crows —
interrupted
by the locust’s shrill whistle,
resume their meals
in haste
before the sun shrivels
what’s left
of the morning dew
The crows, who were picking through the field in a leisurely manner, are suddenly interrupted by the locust's whistle. They resume their meals "in haste," as if they are aware of the fleeting nature of this moment. The sun will soon shrivel what's left of the morning dew, and the world will continue to move forward. The poem captures a moment of stillness, but it also acknowledges the impermanence of that moment.
The Language
One of the things that I love about this poem is the way that H.D. uses language to create a sense of stillness. The repetition of the word "yesterday" in the second stanza has a hypnotic effect, drawing us deeper into the speaker's mind. The alliteration of "winnowings of yesterday's chaff" is both soothing and evocative. And the use of enjambment throughout the poem creates a sense of movement and fluidity.
The Interpretation
So, what does "Mid-Day" mean? Well, like all great poems, it's open to interpretation. For me, the poem is a reminder to slow down and pay attention to the world around us. It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, to let our minds get cluttered with useless thoughts and distractions. But if we take the time to be still, to observe the details that might have been overlooked before, we might find a deeper sense of meaning in the world.
But that's just my interpretation. What does the poem mean to you?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Mid-Day: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion by H.D.
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and transport the reader to another world. H.D.'s "Poetry Mid-Day" is a perfect example of this power. This poem is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion that captures the essence of a mid-day in a way that is both beautiful and haunting.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the mid-day sun as "a great gold disk." This image immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The sun is a powerful force that dominates the landscape, and the speaker is in awe of its beauty. The use of the word "disk" also gives the impression that the sun is a flat object, which adds to the surreal feeling of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the landscape around them. They mention "the white road" and "the white houses," which creates a stark contrast to the golden sun. The use of the color white also gives the impression of purity and innocence, which is a stark contrast to the power of the sun.
The speaker then goes on to describe the "blue sky" and "the blue sea." These images are both calming and soothing, which is a stark contrast to the power of the sun. The use of the color blue also gives the impression of tranquility and peace, which is a stark contrast to the power of the sun.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes "the shadow of the great disk" and "the shadow of the houses." This image creates a sense of foreboding and danger. The shadow of the sun is a reminder of the power it holds, and the shadow of the houses is a reminder of the darkness that can lurk within.
The speaker then goes on to describe "the sound of the sea." This image is both calming and haunting. The sound of the sea is soothing, but it also reminds the speaker of the vastness and power of the ocean. The use of the word "sound" also gives the impression that the speaker is not physically near the sea, which adds to the surreal feeling of the poem.
The poem then ends with the speaker describing "the great gold disk" once again. This image is a reminder of the power and beauty of the sun. The use of the word "great" also gives the impression that the sun is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, "Poetry Mid-Day" is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion. The poem captures the essence of a mid-day in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. The use of color, imagery, and language creates a surreal feeling that transports the reader to another world. The poem is a reminder of the power and beauty of nature, and the darkness that can lurk within. H.D.'s "Poetry Mid-Day" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to be transported to another world.
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