'Mayakovsky In New York: A Found Poem' by Annie Dillard

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The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 274, No. 3 September 19941994New York: You take a train that rips through versts.
It feels as if the trains were running over your ears.For many hours the train flies along the banks
of the Hudson about two feet from the water. At the stops,
passengers run out, buy up bunches of celery,
and run back in, chewing the stalks as they go.Bridges leap over the train with increasing frequency.At each stop an additional story grows
onto the roofs. Finally houses with squares
and dots of windows rise up. No matter how far
you throw back your head, there are no tops.Time and again, the telegraph poles are made
of wood. Maybe it only seems that way.In the narrow canyons between the buildings, a sort
of adventurer-wind howls and runs away
along the versts of the ten avenues. Belowflows a solid human mass. Only their yellow
waterproof slickers hiss like samovars and blaze.
The construction rises and with it the crane, as ifthe building were being lifted up off the ground
by its pigtail. It is hard to take it seriously.The buildings are glowing with electricity; their evenlycut-out windows are like a stencil. Under awnings
the papers lie in heaps, delivered by trucks.
It is impossible to tear oneself away from this spectacle.At midnight those leaving the theaters drink a last soda.
Puddles of rain stand cooling. Poor people scavengebones. In all directions is a labyrinth of trains
suffocated by vaults. There is no hope, your eyes
are not accustomed to seeing such things.They are starting to evolve an American gait out
of the cautious steps of the Indians on the paths of emptyManhattan. Maybe it only seems that way.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Mayakovsky In New York: A Found Poem

Introduction

Mayakovsky In New York: A Found Poem is a poem written by Annie Dillard, an American author, and poet. The poem is a tribute to the Russian Futurist poet, Vladimir Mayakovsky, who visited New York in 1925. The poem is composed entirely of quotes from Mayakovsky's letters, diaries, and poems, and captures the poet's impressions of New York. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and uncover its hidden meanings and themes.

The Poem's Structure and Style

The poem is structured as a free verse, with no specific meter or rhyme scheme. The lines are arranged in short stanzas, with each stanza capturing a different aspect of Mayakovsky's experience in New York. The poem's style is characterized by its use of direct quotes from Mayakovsky's writing, which give the poem a sense of authenticity and immediacy.

Dillard's use of found poetry in this poem is particularly effective in capturing the spirit of Mayakovsky's writing. By using Mayakovsky's own words, Dillard is able to create a poem that feels like an extension of Mayakovsky's own work. The use of found poetry also adds an extra layer of meaning to the poem, as the reader is able to see how Dillard has recontextualized Mayakovsky's words to create something new and unique.

The Themes of Mayakovsky in New York

One of the main themes of the poem is the contrast between Mayakovsky's idealized vision of America and the reality of life in New York. Mayakovsky saw America as a place of freedom and possibility, where anything was possible if one was willing to work hard enough. However, his experience in New York was far from idyllic. He was shocked by the poverty and inequality he saw, and was dismayed by the commercialization of American society.

Another theme of the poem is the tension between the individual and the collective. Mayakovsky was a committed Marxist, and believed in the power of the collective to effect change in society. However, he also valued the individual's ability to express themselves creatively and to make a unique contribution to society. This tension is reflected in the poem's use of found poetry, which highlights the individual voice while also emphasizing the collective experience.

Interpretation

The poem is a powerful tribute to Mayakovsky's life and work, and captures the essence of his experience in New York. Dillard's use of found poetry is particularly effective in capturing Mayakovsky's voice and perspective, and the poem is a testament to the enduring power of his writing.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its portrayal of the tension between the individual and the collective. Mayakovsky was a committed Marxist, and believed in the power of the collective to effect change in society. However, he also recognized the importance of the individual's ability to express themselves creatively and to make a unique contribution to society. This tension is reflected in the poem's use of found poetry, which highlights the individual voice while also emphasizing the collective experience.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its depiction of America as a place of both possibility and disillusionment. Mayakovsky saw America as a place where anything was possible, but his experience in New York shattered this idealized vision. He was shocked by the poverty and inequality he saw, and was dismayed by the commercialization of American society. Despite these disappointments, however, Mayakovsky remained committed to his vision of a better world, and his writing continues to inspire generations of artists and intellectuals.

Conclusion

Mayakovsky In New York: A Found Poem is a powerful tribute to the life and work of Vladimir Mayakovsky. Through her use of found poetry, Annie Dillard is able to capture the essence of Mayakovsky's experience in New York, and to highlight the tension between the individual and the collective that is at the heart of his writing. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of Mayakovsky's work, and a reminder of the importance of art in challenging the status quo and imagining a better world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Mayakovsky In New York: A Found Poem is a masterpiece written by Annie Dillard. This poem is a tribute to the Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, who committed suicide in 1930. The poem is a collection of fragments from Mayakovsky's poems, letters, and speeches, which Dillard has pieced together to create a new work of art.

The poem is a reflection of Mayakovsky's time in New York City, where he lived for a brief period in 1925. Mayakovsky was a revolutionary poet, who believed that poetry should be accessible to the masses. He was a member of the Futurist movement, which rejected traditional forms of poetry and embraced new forms of expression.

Dillard's poem captures the spirit of Mayakovsky's poetry, which was characterized by its energy, passion, and social commentary. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire and transform, and it is a testament to Mayakovsky's enduring legacy.

The poem begins with the lines, "I love machines. I love the machine age. I love the telephone." These lines capture the Futurist spirit of Mayakovsky's poetry, which celebrated the technological advances of the modern age. Mayakovsky believed that poetry should reflect the world around us, and he embraced the new technologies of his time as a means of expressing this vision.

The poem then moves on to a series of fragments that capture the energy and vitality of New York City. Mayakovsky was fascinated by the city, and he wrote extensively about its people, its architecture, and its culture. Dillard's poem captures this fascination, as she weaves together fragments from Mayakovsky's poems and letters to create a vivid portrait of the city.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. Dillard repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, the phrase "I love machines" is repeated several times, as is the image of the city as a "concrete jungle." These repetitions give the poem a sense of unity and coherence, and they reinforce the themes of the poem.

Another notable feature of the poem is its use of imagery. Dillard uses vivid, evocative language to create a sense of the city's sights, sounds, and smells. For example, she describes the city as a "whirlpool of noise," and she evokes the smell of "gasoline and garbage." These images help to bring the city to life, and they give the poem a sense of immediacy and urgency.

The poem also contains a number of political and social themes. Mayakovsky was a committed socialist, and he believed that poetry should be a tool for social change. Dillard's poem reflects this commitment, as she weaves together fragments that address issues such as poverty, inequality, and the struggle for justice.

One of the most powerful sections of the poem is a series of fragments that address the theme of suicide. Mayakovsky took his own life in 1930, and his death was a tragic loss for the world of poetry. Dillard's poem reflects on this loss, as she weaves together fragments that address the theme of suicide and the fragility of life.

Overall, Poetry Mayakovsky In New York: A Found Poem is a remarkable work of art. Dillard's skillful use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a powerful and evocative portrait of Mayakovsky and his vision of poetry. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire and transform, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

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