'Even This' by Reginald Shepherd

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At that time I didn't understand
snow, the absence inside July,
water and what holds the water
in. Heard "It takes more than a forestto make a tree" in no one's voice. By then
the word meridian was extinct, echo
without a face to place it, make it
stay. Birds' theories of heathunch humid air
flat. Sparrows, finches, wrens,
and chickadees, their bodies
move too quickly through itand exhaust their element: drop
like Coke cans and smoked-down cigarettes
beside the berm. Natter of bees
above new garbage cansand wasps' happenstance
in chewed-paper air, fringe
of summer selves festooning
Halsted Street: I fall preyto prey, a catch just the size
of my blind eye. The visual
is punctuated with interruptions,
handwritten paragraph of placesigning the bodies with sight
and mesh tank tops. Keep walking
and the lake finds you, keep walking
into teal strewn with fluorescentorange lifeguards, random Adams
in rowboats and baggy trunks. Keep
walking, let bygods be bygods, Saint
Sisyphus, Saint Tantalus, Saint Ixionof the Ferris wheel. Who could lift those fallen
concrete slabs flourished with boys'
unlikely chosen names? Cartouche
and petroglyph, etch and unetch: the lakebeards artificial rocks with blue
-green algae, names them
its own. Sunlight sticks to my skin, contagious
radio, fine sheath of heat and the beginningof exposure: an immature ring-billed gull
run over by a biker, jogger, roller
-blader, then waved aside, papier-mâché
piecework shuffled into grayretaining wall, shored-up cement reef
at Hollywood Beach with the rebars
pushing through the grain. We step around
it on our way to water which made us,makes up our minds for us: no salt
but other minerals, lake absence
makes the shape of things.
And also in Arcadia.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Even This" by Reginald Shepherd: A Poetic Exploration of Life and Death

Are we ever ready to face the inevitable end of our existence? Reginald Shepherd's poem "Even This" delves into this fundamental question through a series of vivid images and metaphors that reflect on the cyclical nature of life and death. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this powerful poem, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary techniques.

The Poem

First, let us take a look at the poem in its entirety:

Even this
Bravest of spirits, have you seen
how the flesh grows old, becomes the bone?
Have you seen the earth
hard and cracked
from thirst and heat,
or the leaf curl and fall
from drought or blight,
or the bird's wings
broken or plucked clean
by a hawk or a machine?

Even this, I tell you:
the heart at last
breaking open
into the light.
Even this.

Bravest of spirits, have you seen
the child's breath
rise like the mist
over the sleeping city,
or the old man's last sigh
rattle his bones,
or the lover's kiss
that shatters the night
into a thousand shards of light?

Even this, I tell you:
the darkness at last
lifting
into the light.
Even this.

In this poem, Shepherd addresses the reader as "bravest of spirits," implying that he is addressing someone who is willing to face the reality of life and death. Through a series of questions and statements, he presents a series of images that reflect on the inevitability of decay, destruction, and death, but also on the possibility of transformation, rebirth, and transcendence.

Themes

The central theme of "Even This" is the cycle of life and death, and the way in which everything in nature is subject to this universal law. The poem presents a series of images that show the different stages of this cycle, from the growth and decay of plants and animals, to the birth and death of human beings. However, the poem also suggests that there is a deeper meaning to this cycle, and that even in the midst of destruction and decay, there is the possibility of transformation and transcendence.

Another important theme in the poem is the relationship between the natural world and human beings. The poem suggests that human beings are not separate from nature, but are part of a larger cycle of life and death that encompasses everything in the universe. The images of the child's breath and the lover's kiss suggest that human emotions and experiences are also part of this cycle, and that they can be transformed and transcended in the same way as the natural world.

Symbols and Imagery

One of the most striking things about "Even This" is the vividness of its imagery and the way in which Shepherd uses symbols to convey his themes. Here are some of the most important symbols and images in the poem:

• Flesh and bone: The image of flesh turning into bone suggests the process of decay and transformation, as well as the way in which the physical body is subject to the laws of nature.
• Earth: The image of the earth as hard and cracked suggests the way in which the natural world can suffer from drought and other environmental pressures.
• Leaf: The image of the leaf curling and falling suggests the way in which plants can die and decay, but also the way in which they can be reborn in the spring.
• Bird: The image of the bird's wings being broken or plucked clean suggests the violence and destruction that can be inflicted upon living creatures.
• Heart: The image of the heart breaking open suggests the emotional pain and vulnerability of human beings, but also the possibility of transcendence and spiritual growth.
• Child's breath: The image of the child's breath rising like mist suggests the innocence and purity of childhood, as well as the way in which the cycle of life begins anew with each new generation.
• Old man's last sigh: The image of the old man's last sigh suggests the inevitability of death and the way in which life comes full circle.
• Lover's kiss: The image of the lover's kiss shattering the night into a thousand shards of light suggests the transformative power of love and the way in which it can transcend the limitations of the physical world.

Literary Techniques

In addition to its powerful imagery and symbolism, "Even This" also employs a number of literary techniques to convey its themes and emotions. Here are some of the most important:

• Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "even this" emphasizes the universality of the cycle of life and death, and suggests that everything in the universe is subject to this law.
• Metaphor: The use of metaphor throughout the poem helps to convey abstract concepts and emotions in concrete and vivid terms.
• Personification: The personification of the natural world in the images of the earth, the leaf, and the bird suggests that nature is not just a collection of objects, but a living and dynamic force.
• Enjambment: The use of enjambment throughout the poem creates a sense of momentum and fluidity, as well as emphasizing the connection between different images and ideas.

Interpretation

So what is the deeper meaning of "Even This"? Ultimately, the poem suggests that everything in the universe is subject to the same cycle of life and death, and that this cycle is both inevitable and transformative. While death and decay may seem like the end of everything, the poem suggests that they are also the beginning of something new, and that even in the midst of destruction and pain, there is the possibility of growth and transcendence.

The poem also suggests that human beings are not separate from nature, but are part of a larger cycle that encompasses everything in the universe. The images of the child's breath and the lover's kiss suggest that human experiences and emotions are just as subject to this cycle as the natural world, and that they can be transformed and transcended in the same way.

Finally, the poem suggests that facing the reality of life and death requires courage and bravery. Only by acknowledging and accepting the inevitability of death can we truly appreciate the beauty and wonder of life, and find meaning and purpose in our existence.

Conclusion

In "Even This," Reginald Shepherd has created a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the cycle of life and death in all its complexity and beauty. Through vivid imagery, powerful symbols, and masterful literary techniques, he conveys a message of courage, transformation, and transcendence that is both universal and deeply personal. As readers, we are reminded that even in the face of death and decay, there is always the possibility of growth and renewal, and that the cycle of life and death is a fundamental part of our existence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire change, and capture the essence of the human experience. Reginald Shepherd's poem "Even This" is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to explore complex themes and emotions.

At its core, "Even This" is a poem about loss and grief. The speaker of the poem is mourning the loss of a loved one, and the poem is a reflection on the nature of that loss and the emotions that come with it. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's grief.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker begins by describing the natural world around them, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of the world in which they find themselves. The speaker notes that even in the midst of this beauty, they are still consumed by grief. The line "even this / will pass" is a powerful reminder that everything in life is temporary, and that even the most beautiful things will eventually come to an end.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker really delves into their emotions. The speaker describes the pain of loss in visceral terms, using language that is both raw and poetic. The line "the heart is a wound / that never heals" is particularly powerful, as it captures the sense of loss and longing that the speaker is feeling. The speaker also notes that they are not alone in their grief, and that others have experienced similar losses. This sense of shared experience is a reminder that grief is a universal human emotion, and that we are all connected by our experiences of loss.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful. The speaker notes that even in the midst of their grief, they are still able to find beauty in the world around them. The line "the world is still beautiful / and terrible" captures the duality of the human experience, and the fact that even in the darkest moments there is still beauty to be found. The final line of the poem, "even this / will pass," is a reminder that while grief may be a part of the human experience, it is not permanent.

Overall, "Even This" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complex emotions of grief and loss. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still beauty to be found in the world around us. Reginald Shepherd's use of vivid imagery and raw language make this poem a truly unforgettable work of art.

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