'Promises, Promises' by Paul Muldoon
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I am stretched out under the lean-to
Of an old tobacco-shed
On a farm in North Carolina.
A cardinal sings from the dogwood
For the love of marijuana.
His song goes over my head.
There is such splendour in the grass
I might be the picture of happiness.
Yet I am utterly bereft
Of the low hills, the open-ended sky,
The wave upon wave of pasture
Rolling in, and just as surely
Falling short of my bare feet.
Whatever is passing is passing me by.I am with Raleigh, near the Atlantic,
Where we have built a stockade
Around our little colony.
Give him his scallop-shell of quiet,
His staff of faith to walk upon,
His scrip of joy, immortal diet-
We are some eighty souls
On whom Raleigh will hoist his sails.
He will return, years afterwards,
To wonder where and why
We might have altogether disappeared,
Only to glimpse us here and there
As one fair strand in her braid,
The blue in an Indian girl's dead eye.I am stretched out under the lean-to
Of an old tobacco-shed
On a farm in North Carolina,
When someone or other, warm, naked,
Stirs within my own skeleton
And stands on tip-toe to look out
Over the horizon,
Through the zones, across the Ocean.
The cardinal sings from a redbud
For the love of one slender and shy,
The flight after flight of stairs
To her room in Bayswater,
The damson freckle on her throat
That I kissed when we kissed Goodbye.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Promises, Promises: A Literary Analysis
Are you ready to embark on a journey through the pages of Paul Muldoon's Poetry, Promises, Promises? This collection of poems is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry, showcasing Muldoon's unique style and his mastery of language. In this literary analysis, we will explore the various themes, motifs, and literary devices that make this collection a work of art.
Introduction
Paul Muldoon is a renowned poet, born in Northern Ireland in 1951. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for his collection Moy Sand and Gravel. Poetry, Promises, Promises was published in 2002 and is considered one of Muldoon's most significant works. The collection features poems that are both poignant and humorous, showcasing Muldoon's versatility as a poet.
Themes
One of the central themes in Poetry, Promises, Promises is the idea of memory and nostalgia. Many of the poems in the collection feature Muldoon reflecting on his past and the people and places that have shaped him. In "The Old Country," Muldoon writes about his childhood in Northern Ireland and the violence and political turmoil that characterized the time. He writes, "We lived in the shadow of an unknown soldier's grave / that was always filled with fresh flowers." This image of the unknown soldier's grave is a powerful metaphor for the violence and uncertainty of Muldoon's childhood.
Another theme that runs throughout the collection is the idea of love and relationships. In "Wind and Tree," Muldoon writes about a relationship that has ended, but the memories of it linger on. He writes, "I remember how I stood / at that window and said / goodbye to a face that turned / like a tree in a forest of wind." The imagery in this poem is vivid, and the metaphor of the tree in the wind is an apt representation of the tumultuous nature of relationships.
Motifs
One of the motifs that Muldoon uses frequently in Poetry, Promises, Promises is that of animals. In "Cows," he writes about a herd of cows that have wandered onto a busy road. The poem is both humorous and poignant, with Muldoon describing the cows as "a tide of cattle / that has only just begun to turn." This image of the cows as a tide is an example of Muldoon's ability to use metaphor effectively.
Another motif that Muldoon employs throughout the collection is that of music. In "The Mudroom," he writes about playing guitar with his father and how the music they played brought them closer together. He writes, "we will be tuning up and playing / all night and all day / and our fingers will be the ones / that do the walking." The image of fingers doing the walking is a powerful one, and it highlights the connection between music and human emotion.
Literary Devices
Muldoon's use of literary devices in Poetry, Promises, Promises is one of the things that makes this collection so remarkable. One literary device that he uses frequently is imagery. In "Charger," he writes about a horse that he owned as a child. He describes the horse as "a charger who has gone to seed / and is happy to stand and graze / on the dandelion and dock." The imagery in this poem is vivid, with Muldoon painting a clear picture of the horse in the reader's mind.
Another literary device that Muldoon uses effectively is repetition. In "The More a Man Has the More a Man Wants," he repeats the phrase "the more a man" several times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the idea that human desire is insatiable and that we are always looking for more.
Conclusion
Poetry, Promises, Promises is a collection of poems that is both powerful and poignant. Muldoon's ability to use language effectively and his skill at crafting vivid imagery make this collection a work of art. The themes of memory, nostalgia, love, and relationships are explored throughout the collection, with Muldoon using motifs such as animals and music to highlight these themes. His use of literary devices such as imagery and repetition add depth and nuance to the poems, making them even more impactful. If you are a fan of contemporary poetry, then Poetry, Promises, Promises is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has always been a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. One of the most beautiful and powerful poems that I have come across is "Promises, Promises" by Paul Muldoon. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the complexities of relationships.
"Promises, Promises" is a poem that explores the theme of broken promises and the consequences that come with them. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different tone and mood. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character, who is a woman. The second stanza is a flashback that reveals the woman's past and the promises that were made to her. The third stanza is a reflection on the broken promises, and the final stanza is a resolution that shows the woman moving on from the past.
The first stanza of the poem is a description of the woman's current situation. She is alone, and the speaker describes her as "a woman alone on a hilltop." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is melancholic and reflective. The woman is described as being "wrapped in a shawl," which suggests that she is cold and vulnerable. The use of the word "wrapped" also implies that she is trying to protect herself from something.
The second stanza is a flashback that reveals the woman's past. The speaker describes her as being "young and fair," which suggests that she was once happy and carefree. The woman is also described as being "in love," which implies that she was in a romantic relationship. The speaker then reveals that the woman was promised "a life of ease and pleasure." This promise is significant because it sets up the conflict of the poem. The woman was promised something that was not delivered, and this has had a significant impact on her life.
The third stanza is a reflection on the broken promises. The speaker describes the woman as being "old and grey," which suggests that she has aged and is no longer young and beautiful. The woman is also described as being "alone," which implies that she is still dealing with the consequences of the broken promises. The speaker then asks a rhetorical question, "What good are promises?" This question is significant because it highlights the theme of the poem. Promises are meaningless if they are not kept, and they can have a significant impact on people's lives.
The final stanza is a resolution that shows the woman moving on from the past. The speaker describes the woman as being "at peace," which suggests that she has come to terms with the broken promises. The woman is also described as being "free," which implies that she has let go of the past and is no longer burdened by it. The final line of the poem, "Promises, promises, all lies and jest," is significant because it suggests that the woman has come to the realization that promises are not always kept, and they can be deceptive.
In conclusion, "Promises, Promises" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the theme of broken promises and the consequences that come with them. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different tone and mood. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character, who is a woman. The second stanza is a flashback that reveals the woman's past and the promises that were made to her. The third stanza is a reflection on the broken promises, and the final stanza is a resolution that shows the woman moving on from the past. The poem is a reminder that promises are not always kept, and they can have a significant impact on people's lives.
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