'A Week Later' by Sharon Olds

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A week later, I said to a friend: I don't
think I could ever write about it.
Maybe in a year I could write something.
There is something in me maybe someday
to be written; now it is folded, and folded,
and folded, like a note in school. And in my dream
someone was playing jacks, and in the air there was a
huge, thrown, tilted jack
on fire. And when I woke up, I found myself
counting the days since I had last seen
my husband-only two years, and some weeks,
and hours. We had signed the papers and come down to the
ground floor of the Chrysler Building,
the intact beauty of its lobby around us
like a king's tomb, on the ceiling the little
painted plane, in the mural, flying. And it
entered my strictured heart, this morning,
slightly, shyly as if warily,
untamed, a greater sense of the sweetness
and plenty of his ongoing life,
unknown to me, unseen by me,
unheard, untouched-but known, seen,
heard, touched. And it came to me,
for moments at a time, moment after moment,
to be glad for him that he is with the one
he feels was meant for him. And I thought of my
mother, minutes from her death, eighty-five
years from her birth, the almost warbler
bones of her shoulder under my hand, the
eggshell skull, as she lay in some peace
in the clean sheets, and I could tell her the best
of my poor, partial love, I could sing her
out with it, I saw the luck
and luxury of that hour.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, A Week Later by Sharon Olds

Introduction

Sharon Olds is an American poet, born in San Francisco in 1942. She has published numerous poetry collections and has won several awards for her work, including the Pulitzer Prize. One of her most famous poems is "Poetry, A Week Later," which was first published in 1979 in her collection, "The Dead and the Living." This 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes and imagery of this poem, as well as analyze its structure, language, and form.

Analysis

Theme

"Poetry, A Week Later" is a poem about the power of words and the role of a poet in society. The poem begins with the speaker describing the aftermath of a party where she read some of her poetry. She recalls the reactions of those around her, some of whom were moved by her words, while others were indifferent or even hostile. The poem then shifts to a reflection on the nature of poetry itself, and the speaker's own relationship to it.

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea that poetry has the power to connect people and to evoke strong emotions. The speaker describes how some of her listeners were "blown away" by her words, while others simply "nodded and smiled." This contrast highlights the fact that poetry can be a deeply personal experience, and that different people will respond to it in different ways. The poem also suggests that poetry can be a way of bringing people together, even if they don't share the same opinions or experiences. The fact that the speaker's poetry was able to move some of her listeners suggests that it has the power to create a sense of empathy and understanding, even across differences.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea that poetry is a form of self-expression that can be both liberating and terrifying. The speaker describes how she feels "naked" when she reads her poems to an audience, and how she is always afraid of being judged or dismissed. This fear is compounded by the fact that poetry is often seen as a frivolous or indulgent pursuit, something that doesn't have any practical value. The poem suggests that this attitude is misguided, and that poetry can be a powerful tool for expressing the complex emotions and experiences that are often difficult to articulate in other ways.

Imagery

The imagery in "Poetry, A Week Later" is both vivid and evocative. The poem is filled with sensory details that help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, the speaker describes the "yellow-grey light" of the morning after the party, which suggests a sense of disappointment or disillusionment. She also describes the "heavy linoleum" floor of the room where she read her poetry, which creates a sense of confinement or claustrophobia.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the speaker's description of herself as a "bird with a broken wing." This metaphor suggests that the speaker feels vulnerable and powerless, and that she is struggling to find her place in the world. The image of the broken wing also implies a sense of fragility and imperfection, which underscores the idea that poetry is a form of self-expression that requires courage and vulnerability.

Structure

The structure of "Poetry, A Week Later" is relatively simple, but effective. The poem consists of four stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The lines are written in free verse, which gives the poem a sense of naturalness and spontaneity. There is no rhyme scheme or meter, which allows the poem to flow freely and to emphasize the emotional content of the words.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem's structure is the way that it shifts between different perspectives and tones. The first stanza is written in the past tense, and describes the aftermath of the party. The second stanza is written in the present tense, and reflects on the nature of poetry itself. The third stanza is written in the first person, and describes the speaker's own feelings and experiences. The final stanza is written in the second person, and addresses the reader directly. This shifting perspective creates a sense of complexity and depth, and allows the poem to explore multiple themes and ideas.

Language

The language of "Poetry, A Week Later" is simple and direct, but also rich in imagery and metaphor. The poem is filled with sensory details that help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, the speaker describes the "flesh of the night" and the "smell of the fish." These details help to ground the poem in a specific time and place, and to give it a sense of realism.

Another interesting aspect of the poem's language is the way that it blends the mundane and the profound. The speaker describes the "heavy linoleum" floor and the "dull morning," but also reflects on the nature of poetry itself and the role of a poet in society. This juxtaposition creates a sense of tension and contrast, and underscores the idea that poetry can be found in even the most ordinary moments of life.

Form

The form of "Poetry, A Week Later" is free verse, which allows the poem to flow freely and to emphasize the emotional content of the words. There is no rhyme scheme or meter, which gives the poem a sense of naturalness and spontaneity. This form also allows the poem to shift between different perspectives and tones, and to explore multiple themes and ideas.

One interesting aspect of the poem's form is the way that it uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, the phrase "I remember" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which gives it a sense of continuity and coherence. The repetition of this phrase also underscores the idea that memory and reflection are central themes in the poem.

Conclusion

"Poetry, A Week Later" is a powerful and deeply personal poem that explores the nature of poetry itself and the role of a poet in society. Through its vivid imagery, shifting perspectives, and rich language, the poem suggests that poetry has the power to connect people and to evoke strong emotions. It also suggests that poetry can be a way of expressing the complex emotions and experiences that are often difficult to articulate in other ways. Overall, "Poetry, A Week Later" is a testament to the enduring power of words and the enduring importance of poetry in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry A Week Later: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Reflection

Sharon Olds is a poet who has been known for her ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in her works. Her poem, Poetry A Week Later, is a masterpiece that showcases her talent for weaving together words that evoke strong emotions and deep reflection.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a poetry reading that she attended a week ago. The speaker describes the experience as "a kind of baptism," suggesting that the act of listening to poetry is a transformative experience that can cleanse and renew the soul. The use of religious imagery in this line is significant, as it suggests that poetry has the power to transcend the mundane and connect us to something greater than ourselves.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the various emotions that she felt during the reading. She speaks of feeling "joy and sorrow, anger and love," suggesting that poetry has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions within us. The use of the word "and" in this line is significant, as it suggests that these emotions are not mutually exclusive, but rather exist in a complex and interconnected web.

The speaker then goes on to describe the various poets who read at the event. She speaks of their "different voices," suggesting that each poet has a unique perspective and style. The use of the word "voices" is significant, as it suggests that poetry is not just about the words on the page, but also about the way in which those words are spoken and heard.

The speaker then reflects on the impact that the poetry reading had on her. She speaks of feeling "changed" and "enlarged," suggesting that poetry has the ability to expand our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The use of the word "enlarged" is significant, as it suggests that poetry has the ability to broaden our perspective and help us see things in a new light.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the various tragedies and injustices that she has witnessed in the world. She speaks of "the bodies of children torn apart by bombs," and "the bodies of women raped and murdered," suggesting that poetry is not just about beauty and inspiration, but also about confronting the harsh realities of the world.

The speaker then reflects on the role of poetry in the face of such tragedies. She speaks of poetry as a "weapon," suggesting that it has the ability to challenge and resist the forces of oppression and injustice. The use of the word "weapon" is significant, as it suggests that poetry is not just a passive art form, but also a tool for social and political change.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the power of poetry to connect us to one another. She speaks of the "invisible threads" that bind us together, suggesting that poetry has the ability to create a sense of community and shared experience. The use of the word "invisible" is significant, as it suggests that these connections are not always visible or tangible, but rather exist on a deeper, more spiritual level.

In conclusion, Poetry A Week Later is a masterpiece of emotion and reflection that showcases Sharon Olds' talent for capturing the essence of human experience in her works. Through her use of vivid imagery, religious symbolism, and powerful language, Olds invites us to reflect on the transformative power of poetry and its ability to connect us to one another and to something greater than ourselves. Whether we are feeling joy or sorrow, anger or love, poetry has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions within us and help us see the world in a new light.

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