'For/From Lew' by Gary Snyder
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Axe Handles1983Lew Welch just turned up one day,
live as you and me."Damn, Lew" I said,
"you didn't shoot yourself after all."
"Yes I did" he said,
and even then I felt the tingling down my back.
"Yes you did, too" I said-"I can feel it now."
"Yeah" he said,
"There's a basic fear between your world and
mine.I don't know why.
What I came to say was,
teach the children about the cycles.
The life cycles.All other cycles.
That's what it's all about, and it's all forgot."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, For/From Lew by Gary Snyder
Have you ever read a poem that transports you to a different world? Something that makes you see things in a new light, or feel things in a different way? That is what Gary Snyder's Poetry, For/From Lew does. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and meaning behind this classic piece of poetry.
The Poem
Before we dive into the deep end of the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate its structure and form. Poetry, For/From Lew is a free verse poem, meaning it has no set rhyme or meter. This allows Snyder to explore his ideas and emotions without being constrained by traditional poetry rules. The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own title: "For Lew Welch," "From Lew Welch," and "The Earth is a Living Creature."
For Lew Welch
The first section of the poem, "For Lew Welch," is a tribute to Snyder's friend and fellow poet Lew Welch. The poem begins with the lines:
My friend is sick Walking in the cold wind In the orchard In the moonlight
These lines set the scene for the rest of the poem. We can picture Lew walking in the cold night air, perhaps feeling alone and isolated. The moonlight adds an ethereal quality to the scene, as if Lew is walking in a dream.
As the poem continues, Snyder reflects on his relationship with Lew, and the pain he feels knowing that his friend is sick:
I have known him Many years And we both Are poets
The use of the word "poets" is significant here. Snyder is not just reflecting on his friendship with Lew, but also on their shared passion for poetry. The fact that they are both poets means that they have a deep understanding of each other's creative process and the struggles that come with it.
Snyder goes on to describe Lew's illness:
But he is In pain And I feel helpless What can I do?
These lines are heart-wrenching. Snyder's love and concern for his friend are palpable. He wants to help Lew, but he doesn't know how. This is a common feeling when someone we love is sick or suffering. We want to do everything we can to make them feel better, but sometimes there is nothing we can do.
From Lew Welch
The second section of the poem, "From Lew Welch," is written as if Lew is speaking directly to Snyder from beyond the grave. The poem begins with the lines:
I want you to understand That this man was my friend Because he was my friend And he was a poet
The repetition of the phrase "my friend" emphasizes the importance of friendship in Lew's life. He doesn't just value Snyder for his poetry, but also for their personal connection.
As the poem continues, Lew reflects on his own life and relationships:
I have loved women And men And dogs
The use of the word "loved" is significant here. Lew is not just talking about sexual attraction, but about the love he feels for all living beings. He also includes dogs in this list, which shows his reverence for all animals.
Lew goes on to describe his own struggles with depression:
And there have been times When I was so sad That nothing worked And I wanted to die
These lines are raw and honest. Lew is not afraid to admit that he has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. This vulnerability is what makes his poetry so powerful.
The Earth is a Living Creature
The final section of the poem, "The Earth is a Living Creature," is a meditation on the natural world. Snyder begins with the lines:
The earth is a living creature In constant motion In constant change
These lines set the tone for the rest of the section. Snyder sees the earth not as an inanimate object, but as a living being. This is a common theme in his poetry, as he is known for his advocacy for environmentalism.
As the poem continues, Snyder reflects on the interconnectedness of all living things:
All things are connected Like the blood That unites us all
The use of the word "blood" is significant here. Snyder is not just talking about physical connections, but also spiritual and emotional ones. We are all connected in ways that we may not even understand.
The poem ends with the lines:
Let us go singing as far as we go: The road will be filled with voices, New faces will come, we will Love again the stranger who was ourselves.
These lines are both hopeful and melancholy. Snyder is acknowledging the transitory nature of life, but also celebrating the connections that we make along the way. The use of the phrase "love again the stranger who was ourselves" is particularly poignant. It suggests that even though we may feel alone or disconnected at times, we are all part of a larger whole.
Themes and Imagery
One of the main themes of this poem is the power of friendship. Snyder and Lew's relationship is at the heart of the poem, and Snyder's love and concern for his friend are palpable. Snyder also reflects on the importance of community and connection, both with other people and with the natural world.
The imagery in this poem is both vivid and ethereal. The moonlight, the orchard, and the natural world are all described in a way that transports the reader to a different place. The use of repetition and simple, direct language adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem.
Conclusion
Poetry, For/From Lew is a powerful and moving tribute to friendship, community, and the natural world. Snyder's use of free verse and vivid imagery allow him to explore his ideas and emotions in a way that is both honest and profound. This poem is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone. We are all part of a larger whole, connected by our love for each other and for the earth that sustains us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry For/From Lew: A Masterpiece of Gary Snyder
Gary Snyder, the renowned American poet, essayist, and environmental activist, is known for his profound love for nature and his deep understanding of Zen Buddhism. His works are a reflection of his life experiences, his spiritual beliefs, and his passion for the natural world. One of his most celebrated poems, Poetry For/From Lew, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his philosophy and his poetic style.
Poetry For/From Lew is a tribute to Lew Welch, a fellow poet and friend of Snyder, who disappeared in 1971 and was presumed dead. The poem is a collection of fragments, memories, and reflections that Snyder has woven together to create a powerful and moving elegy for his friend. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Welch's life and legacy.
The first part of the poem, titled "For Lew," is a series of images and memories that Snyder has of his friend. He describes Welch as a "wild man" who was always on the move, exploring the wilderness and living life to the fullest. Snyder recalls how Welch would often disappear for days at a time, only to return with stories of his adventures and discoveries. He also remembers how Welch was a gifted poet who had a unique voice and a deep understanding of the natural world.
The second part of the poem, titled "From Lew," is a collection of Welch's own words, taken from his poetry and letters. Snyder uses these words to give voice to his friend and to capture his spirit and his philosophy. Welch's words are full of wisdom, humor, and insight, and they reveal a man who was deeply connected to nature and who saw the world in a unique and profound way.
The third and final part of the poem, titled "For/From Lew," is a synthesis of Snyder's memories and Welch's words. Snyder uses this section to explore the themes of life, death, and the natural world that were central to Welch's poetry and philosophy. He reflects on the impermanence of life and the beauty of the natural world, and he celebrates the legacy of his friend and fellow poet.
What makes Poetry For/From Lew such a powerful and moving poem is the way that Snyder weaves together these different elements to create a portrait of his friend and a meditation on life and death. The poem is full of vivid images and sensory details that bring Welch and his world to life, and it is also full of profound insights and reflections that speak to the human experience.
One of the key themes of the poem is the connection between human beings and the natural world. Snyder and Welch were both deeply committed to environmentalism and saw the natural world as a source of inspiration and wisdom. Snyder's descriptions of Welch's adventures in the wilderness and his deep understanding of the natural world are a testament to this connection, and they remind us of the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.
Another important theme of the poem is the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. Snyder's reflections on Welch's disappearance and presumed death are a reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of living in the present moment. Welch's own words, which are full of humor and wisdom, also speak to this theme, reminding us to embrace life and to find joy in the world around us.
Overall, Poetry For/From Lew is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of Gary Snyder's philosophy and poetic style. It is a moving tribute to a friend and fellow poet, and it is also a meditation on life, death, and the natural world. Snyder's vivid imagery, profound insights, and deep understanding of Zen Buddhism make this poem a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, environmentalism, or spirituality.
Editor Recommended Sites
Crypto Staking - Highest yielding coins & Staking comparison and options: Find the highest yielding coin staking available for alts, from only the best coinsML Writing: Machine learning for copywriting, guide writing, book writing
NFT Sale: Crypt NFT sales
Jupyter App: Jupyter applications
Control Tower - GCP Cloud Resource management & Centralize multicloud resource management: Manage all cloud resources across accounts from a centralized control plane
Recommended Similar Analysis
Infant Sorrow by William Blake analysisDream , The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Sonnet XXXV by William Shakespeare analysis
Pied Beauty by Gerard Manley Hopkins analysis
On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again by John Keats analysis
Spring & Fall by Gerard Manley Hopkins analysis
The Wind in the Hemlock by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Simon Lee, The Old Huntsman by William Wordsworth analysis
Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning analysis
Sonnet 20: A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted by William Shakespeare analysis