'Blues' by Derek Walcott

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Those five or six young guys
lunched on the stoop
that oven-hot summer night
whistled me over. Nice
and friendly. So, I stop.
MacDougal or Christopher
Street in chains of light.A summer festival. Or some
saint's. I wasn't too far from
home, but not too bright
for a nigger, and not too dark.
I figured we were all
one, wop, nigger, jew,
besides, this wasn't Central Park.
I'm coming on too strong? You figure
right! They beat this yellow nigger
black and blue.Yeah. During all this, scared
on case one used a knife,
I hung my olive-green, just-bought
sports coat on a fire plug.
I did nothing. They fought
each other, really. Life
gives them a few kcks,
that's all. The spades, the spicks.My face smashed in, my bloddy mug
pouring, my olive-branch jacket saved
from cuts and tears,
I crawled four flights upstairs.
Sprawled in the gutter, I
remember a few watchers waved
loudly, and one kid's mother shouting
like "Jackie" or "Terry,"
"now that's enough!"
It's nothing really.
They don't get enough love.You know they wouldn't kill
you. Just playing rough,
like young Americans will.
Still it taught me somthing
about love. If it's so tough,
forget it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Derek Walcott's "Poetry, Blues" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of artistic expression and the role of the artist in society. Through a series of vivid and haunting images, Walcott brings to life the experience of the blues singer, and by extension, the poet. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

Themes

The central theme of "Poetry, Blues" is the nature of artistic expression and the role of the artist in society. Walcott explores the idea that artists are often outsiders, marginalized from mainstream culture, and that their art is a form of resistance against the dominant culture. He suggests that the blues singer, like the poet, is a kind of shaman, a figure who uses their art to connect with the spiritual world and to communicate profound truths.

Another important theme in "Poetry, Blues" is the idea of authenticity. Walcott suggests that the blues singer, unlike the commercialized and commodified pop stars of his day, is a true artist who speaks from the heart and soul. He celebrates the raw, unvarnished quality of the blues, and suggests that it is precisely this authenticity that gives the music its power.

Imagery

Walcott's use of imagery in "Poetry, Blues" is both striking and evocative. He creates a vivid and immersive world through his use of vivid sensory details and rich, resonant metaphors.

One of the most powerful images in the poem is the metaphor of the blues singer as a kind of shaman or mystic. Walcott suggests that the singer is able to transcend the limits of ordinary reality and connect with the spiritual realm. He describes the singer's voice as "a black bird that knew the sky" and suggests that the singer's songs are a form of prayer, a way of communicating with the divine.

Walcott also employs a number of other vivid and arresting metaphors throughout the poem. He describes the singer's voice as "a balm for the broken hearted" and "a dagger for the soul". These images create a powerful sense of emotional intensity and suggest the transformative power of the blues.

Symbolism

In addition to his use of imagery, Walcott also employs a number of powerful symbols in "Poetry, Blues". One of the most important of these is the symbol of the blues as a form of resistance against the dominant culture. Walcott suggests that the blues singer, like the poet, is a kind of outlaw, a figure who refuses to conform to the expectations of mainstream society.

Another important symbol in the poem is the idea of the blues as a form of spiritual practice. Walcott suggests that the blues singer, like the shaman, is able to connect with the spiritual realm through his or her art. This is symbolized by the image of the singer's voice as a "black bird that knew the sky".

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Blues" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of artistic expression and the role of the artist in society. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Walcott creates a rich and immersive world that celebrates the transformative power of the blues. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of art and a reminder of the importance of artistic expression in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Blues: A Masterpiece by Derek Walcott

Derek Walcott, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, is known for his exceptional ability to weave words into a tapestry of emotions and imagery. His poem, "Poetry Blues," is a perfect example of his mastery of the craft. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem opens with the speaker lamenting the state of contemporary poetry. He says that poetry has lost its soul and has become a mere commodity, a product to be sold in the market. The speaker is clearly disillusioned with the current state of poetry and longs for the days when poetry was a means of expressing the human experience.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker uses the metaphor of a "dead horse" to describe the state of poetry. He says that poets are beating a dead horse, trying to revive something that is already dead. The use of this metaphor is powerful because it conveys the sense of futility that the speaker feels. He believes that poetry has lost its relevance and that poets are wasting their time trying to revive it.

In the second stanza, the speaker talks about the commercialization of poetry. He says that poets are more concerned with making money than with expressing their true feelings. He uses the metaphor of a "cash register" to describe the way in which poetry has become a commodity. This metaphor is effective because it conveys the sense of greed that the speaker feels is driving contemporary poetry.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker begins to reminisce about the days when poetry was a means of expressing the human experience. He talks about the way in which poetry used to be a way of connecting with others and of sharing one's innermost thoughts and feelings. He uses the metaphor of a "mirror" to describe the way in which poetry used to reflect the human experience.

The fourth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker says that he is tired of the way in which poetry has become a commodity. He longs for the days when poetry was a means of expressing the human experience. He uses the metaphor of a "prisoner" to describe the way in which he feels trapped by the current state of poetry. This metaphor is effective because it conveys the sense of frustration and helplessness that the speaker feels.

The fifth and final stanza is where the poem resolves itself. The speaker says that he will continue to write poetry, even though he knows that it may not be appreciated by the masses. He says that he will write for himself and for those who appreciate the true value of poetry. He uses the metaphor of a "lighthouse" to describe the way in which he will continue to shine a light on the true value of poetry.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The use of the four-line stanza is effective because it allows the speaker to convey his message in a concise and powerful way. The repetition of the metaphor of a "dead horse" in the first stanza and the metaphor of a "cash register" in the second stanza is effective because it reinforces the speaker's message.

The use of metaphors is one of the most effective literary devices in the poem. The metaphor of a "dead horse" in the first stanza is effective because it conveys the sense of futility that the speaker feels. The metaphor of a "cash register" in the second stanza is effective because it conveys the sense of greed that the speaker feels is driving contemporary poetry. The metaphor of a "mirror" in the third stanza is effective because it conveys the way in which poetry used to reflect the human experience. The metaphor of a "prisoner" in the fourth stanza is effective because it conveys the sense of frustration and helplessness that the speaker feels. The metaphor of a "lighthouse" in the fifth stanza is effective because it conveys the way in which the speaker will continue to shine a light on the true value of poetry.

The use of repetition is another effective literary device in the poem. The repetition of the metaphor of a "dead horse" in the first stanza and the metaphor of a "cash register" in the second stanza is effective because it reinforces the speaker's message. The repetition of the phrase "I am tired" in the fourth stanza is effective because it conveys the sense of frustration and helplessness that the speaker feels.

In conclusion, "Poetry Blues" is a masterpiece by Derek Walcott. It is a powerful commentary on the state of contemporary poetry and a call to return to the true value of poetry. The use of metaphors, repetition, and a simple but effective structure make this poem a timeless work of art. As the speaker says in the final stanza, "I will write for myself and for those who appreciate the true value of poetry." And we, as readers, are grateful for it.

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