'R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)' by Derek Walcott

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

As for that other thing
which comes when the eyelid is glazed
and the wax gleam
from the unwrinkled forehead
asks no more questions
of the dry mouth,whether they open the heart like a shirt
to release a rage of swallows,
whether the brain
is a library for worms,
on the instant of that knowledge
of the moment
when everything became so stiff,so formal with ironical adieux,
organ and choir,
and I must borrow a black tie,
and at what moment in the oration
shall I break down and weep -
there was the startle of wings
breaking from the closing cage
of your body, your fist unclenching
these pigeons circling serenely
over the page,and,
as the parentheses lock like a gate
1917 to 1977,
the semicircles close to form a face,
a world, a wholeness,
an unbreakable O,
and something that once had a fearful name
walks from the thing that used to wear its name,
transparent, exact representative,
so that we can see through it
churches, cars, sunlight,and the Boston Common,
not needing any book.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exploring Derek Walcott's "Poetry, R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)"

Derek Walcott's poem "Poetry, R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)" is a complex and thought-provoking work that speaks to the power and importance of poetry throughout history. Through its rich imagery and vivid language, the poem explores the ways in which poetry has shaped our understanding of the world and our place within it.

Background

Before we dive into a deeper analysis of the poem, it's worth providing some background on both the author and the work itself. Derek Walcott was a prolific writer and poet who was born in Saint Lucia in 1930 and passed away in 2017. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992 for his contributions to the field.

"Poetry, R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)" was first published in 1981 as part of Walcott's collection "The Fortunate Traveller." The poem is dedicated to the memory of Robert Graves, T.S. Eliot, W.H. Auden, and Louis MacNeice, all of whom were influential poets during the first half of the 20th century.

Analysis

At first glance, "Poetry, R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)" may seem like a collection of disjointed images and phrases. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals itself to be a carefully crafted exploration of the role that poetry has played throughout history.

The poem opens with the lines:

"If I were drowned (I hope I never am)

I'd like to be enshrined as a poem,

And if I were a poem,

I'd like to be recited by Patrick Kavanagh,

Presented by George Barker,

Edited by Robert Conquest,

And anthologized by Geoffrey Grigson,

A poem travelling through time,

These lines set the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a journey through the history of poetry itself. The speaker imagines themselves as a poem, enshrined and preserved for all time. They then imagine being recited by Patrick Kavanagh, presented by George Barker, edited by Robert Conquest, and anthologized by Geoffrey Grigson, all influential figures in the world of poetry.

The use of these names is significant, as each of these poets had a distinct voice and style. By imagining themselves as a poem shaped and influenced by these figures, the speaker is demonstrating the ways in which poetry is always in conversation with and influenced by the poets that came before it.

The poem then moves on to a series of vivid and evocative images, each of which represents a different aspect of poetry throughout history. The lines:

"A poem drifting through the Venetian streets

In a gondola of state,

Saw the first light of Greece

In the calm blue of the Aegean's gate,

These lines evoke a sense of romance and adventure, as the poem drifts through the streets of Venice and the calm waters of the Aegean. The speaker is connecting poetry to the grand explorations of history, suggesting that poetry has always been a part of the great human journey.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker imagines themselves as a poem written by a soldier during the First World War. The lines:

"And when the dead lay round him

He wrote, 'This is the pity; this is war.'

His poem died with him,

But roses grew from his cold clay bed."

These lines are haunting and poignant, as they demonstrate the way in which poetry can capture the horrors of war even as it is being created. The image of roses growing from the soldier's grave suggests that even in death, there is a kind of beauty that can be found in poetry.

The poem then moves on to a series of images that explore the idea of poetry as a kind of spiritual quest. The lines:

"A poem seeking its own perfection

Found it in love,

And the mirror of that love,

The sedentary light of France."

These lines suggest that poetry is not just a way of recording history or capturing beauty, but also a way of seeking meaning and understanding in the world. The reference to the "sedentary light of France" further reinforces this idea, as France has long been associated with the pursuit of beauty and enlightenment.

The final section of the poem is perhaps the most striking, as the speaker imagines themselves as a poem that has been lost and forgotten over time:

"And if I were lost

In a wood that I know,

There isn't a leaf, a bird or a breeze

That isn't a part of me,

A part of the lost poem,

That is Poetry."

These lines are both melancholy and optimistic, as they suggest that even when a poem is lost and forgotten, it still lives on in the world around us. The idea that every leaf, bird, and breeze is a part of the lost poem reinforces the idea that poetry is not just a human creation, but a part of the natural world itself.

Interpretation

So what does it all mean? At its core, "Poetry, R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)" is an exploration of the power and importance of poetry throughout history. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem demonstrates the ways in which poetry has captured the beauty, horror, and complexity of the human experience.

But the poem is also a meditation on the role of the poet in society. By imagining themselves as a poem, the speaker is suggesting that the act of creation is inseparable from the creator. The poet is not just a recorder of history, but an active participant in shaping it.

Finally, the poem is a call to action. By suggesting that poetry is a part of the natural world itself, the speaker is urging us to pay attention to the world around us and to see the beauty and meaning in even the smallest things. In a world that can often seem chaotic and overwhelming, poetry offers a way of finding clarity and understanding.

Conclusion

"Poetry, R.T.S.L. (1917-1977)" is a complex and multifaceted work that rewards careful analysis and interpretation. Through its rich imagery and vivid language, the poem explores the power and importance of poetry throughout history, while also meditating on the role of the poet in society and offering a call to action for readers to engage with the world around them. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is beauty and meaning to be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Poetry R.T.S.L. is a classic poem written by Derek Walcott, a renowned poet, playwright, and essayist from Saint Lucia. This poem was published in 1979, and it has since become one of the most celebrated works of Walcott. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "I have been a stranger in a strange land." This line sets the tone for the poem and introduces the theme of displacement. The speaker is a stranger in a foreign land, and this feeling of being out of place is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The speaker is searching for a sense of belonging, and this search is reflected in the structure of the poem.

The poem is divided into four sections, each with a different title. The first section is titled "Roots," and it explores the speaker's connection to his homeland. The second section is titled "Travel," and it describes the speaker's journey to different places. The third section is titled "Sight," and it focuses on the speaker's observations of the world around him. The final section is titled "Language," and it deals with the power of words and their ability to connect people.

In the first section, "Roots," the speaker reflects on his connection to his homeland. He describes the landscape, the people, and the culture of his homeland. The speaker's love for his homeland is evident in lines such as "I love the land that bore me, / I love the seas that surround me." However, the speaker also acknowledges the challenges of living in his homeland, such as poverty and political instability.

In the second section, "Travel," the speaker describes his journey to different places. He reflects on the different cultures he encounters and the people he meets. The speaker's sense of displacement is evident in lines such as "I am a stranger here, / I do not know the language." The speaker is searching for a sense of belonging, but he is unable to find it in these foreign places.

In the third section, "Sight," the speaker reflects on the world around him. He describes the beauty of nature and the complexity of human relationships. The speaker's observations are often tinged with sadness, as he reflects on the impermanence of life. The theme of displacement is also present in this section, as the speaker reflects on the transience of human existence.

In the final section, "Language," the speaker reflects on the power of words. He acknowledges that language can be a barrier, but he also recognizes its ability to connect people. The speaker's love for language is evident in lines such as "I love the language that connects me / To the world and to the people around me." The speaker recognizes that language is a tool for communication and connection, and he celebrates its power.

Throughout the poem, Walcott employs a variety of literary devices to convey his themes. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Walcott uses vivid descriptions of landscapes, people, and cultures to create a sense of place and to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, in the first section, Walcott describes the "green hills" and the "blue sea" of the speaker's homeland, creating a vivid image of the landscape.

Another literary device that Walcott employs is repetition. The phrase "I have been a stranger in a strange land" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the theme of displacement. The repetition creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem, tying together the different sections and themes.

Walcott also employs metaphor to convey his themes. In the third section, he compares the "tides of the sea" to the "tides of life," emphasizing the transience of human existence. The metaphor creates a sense of universality, connecting the speaker's personal experiences to the larger human experience.

In conclusion, Poetry R.T.S.L. is a classic poem that explores the themes of displacement, belonging, and the power of language. Walcott employs a variety of literary devices, such as imagery, repetition, and metaphor, to convey his themes and create a sense of unity in the poem. The poem is a powerful reflection on the human experience, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor Recommended Sites

Kubernetes Management: Management of kubernetes clusters on teh cloud, best practice, tutorials and guides
Flutter Guide: Learn to program in flutter to make mobile applications quickly
Terraform Video: Video tutorials on Terraform for AWS and GCP
Kids Books: Reading books for kids. Learn programming for kids: Scratch, Python. Learn AI for kids
Flutter Assets:

Recommended Similar Analysis

Sonnet XIV by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
pity this busy monster,manunkind... (XIV) by e.e. cummings analysis
Four Quartets 2: East Coker by T.S. Eliot analysis
Autumn Song by Dante Gabriel Rossetti analysis
The Choice by William Butler Yeats analysis
Style by Carl Sandburg analysis
A City's Death By Fire by Derek Walcott analysis
Never Seek to Tell thy Love by William Blake analysis
THE DIRGE OF JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER:SUNG BY THE VIRGINS by Robert Herrick analysis
Meditations Divine and Moral by Anne Bradstreet analysis