'Nocturne In A Deserted Brickyard' by Carl Sandburg


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Stuff of the moon
Runs on the lapping sand
Out to the longest shadows.
Under the curving willows,
And round the creep of the wave line,
Fluxions of yellow and dusk on the waters
Make a wide dreaming pansy of an old pond in the night.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you ready to delve into the world of Carl Sandburg's poetry? Brace yourself for a journey through the deserted brickyard, where night falls and the silence of the abandoned factory is broken by the haunting melody of a lone fiddler. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and poetic devices that make Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard a timeless masterpiece.

The Poem

Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard is a poem composed of three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem follows an ABCCBA rhyme scheme, where the first and last lines of each stanza rhyme, and the middle two lines rhyme with each other. The meter is irregular, with a mix of iambic and anapaestic feet, creating a musical rhythm that mimics the fiddler's melody.

Here is the complete text of the poem:

Stuff of the moon
Runs on the lapping sand
Out to the longest shadows.
Under the curving willows,
And round the bend of the roadway
The moon's silk banner is flung.

Across the marshes and swamps
Of the eastern plain,
Move the army corps of the stars.
The shepherd dreams in his hut,
The phantom glides with his lamp
To the iron door of the tomb.

They march in the dark, the armored,
The horseman and foot soldier.
The day stands aside with its tired light
And allows night to cover the earth.
He is here, there, everywhere,
Maker of the world's soul,
Painter of the visible
And invisible in things,
Maker of shapes,
And inspirer of alms,
Giver of color and form,
He is the god of beginnings.

Themes

At the heart of Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard are two interconnected themes: the passing of time and the power of art. The poem takes place at night, a time when everything is shrouded in darkness, and the world seems to slow down. The deserted brickyard, once a place of industry and productivity, is now a symbol of decay and abandonment. The moon, a celestial body that waxes and wanes with time, is the only source of light in the poem, casting long shadows that amplify the sense of emptiness and desolation.

The poem's second theme is the power of art to transcend time and space. The fiddler, whose music echoes through the deserted brickyard, is a symbol of creativity and imagination. His music, like the moon's light, is a source of life in a barren landscape. Sandburg suggests that art has the power to transform the mundane into the magical, to make the invisible visible, and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.

Symbolism

Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard is rich in symbolism, with each image and metaphor contributing to the poem's themes. Here are some of the most significant symbols in the poem:

Poetic Devices

Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard is a masterclass in poetic devices, with Sandburg using a range of techniques to create a musical and evocative poem. Here are some of the most notable poetic devices in the poem:

Interpretation

Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard is a poem that rewards close reading and analysis. At its core, the poem explores the passing of time and the power of art to transcend it. Sandburg uses vivid imagery, striking metaphors, and a musical rhythm to create an evocative and memorable poem. The deserted brickyard, the moon, the fiddler, and the army corps of the stars are all symbols that contribute to the poem's themes, emphasizing the transience of human creations and the enduring power of nature. Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard is a timeless masterpiece that reminds us of the beauty and fragility of life and the power of art to connect us to something greater than ourselves.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Nocturne In A Deserted Brickyard: A Masterpiece by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, was known for his unique style of writing that blended free verse with traditional forms of poetry. His works often explored the themes of social justice, the beauty of nature, and the struggles of the working class. One of his most famous poems, Poetry Nocturne In A Deserted Brickyard, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his style and themes.

The poem, written in 1916, is a vivid description of a deserted brickyard at night. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Sandburg writes, "Here is a tall chimney; from this old brickyard / With crumbling walls of red and yellow brick / A chimney rises like a tower." The imagery of the crumbling walls and the tall chimney immediately transport the reader to the deserted brickyard, creating a sense of desolation and abandonment.

Sandburg's use of free verse allows him to experiment with the structure of the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and flow that is unique to his style. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and imagery. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the brickyard and the chimney. The second stanza introduces the theme of poetry, as Sandburg writes, "Poetry is the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits." This line is often cited as one of the most famous lines in American poetry, and it perfectly captures Sandburg's unique style of blending the mundane with the beautiful.

The third stanza is the most powerful, as Sandburg brings together the themes of the brickyard and poetry. He writes, "The bricklayers are gone, the chimney-sweepers are gone, / But the chimney is still there. The poet has never been gone." This line is a powerful statement about the enduring nature of poetry, even in the face of destruction and decay. Sandburg is suggesting that poetry has the power to transcend time and space, and that it can provide a sense of hope and beauty even in the darkest of places.

The imagery in the poem is also noteworthy, as Sandburg uses vivid descriptions to bring the brickyard to life. He writes, "The moon is a biscuit / The wind goes among the chimney-pots / And bends them like grass." These lines create a sense of movement and life in the deserted brickyard, as if the wind and the moon are the only things keeping it alive.

Sandburg's use of metaphor is also a key element of the poem. He compares the moon to a biscuit, the wind to grass, and the chimney to a tower. These metaphors create a sense of beauty and wonder in the midst of the desolation of the brickyard, and they help to reinforce the theme of poetry as a source of hope and inspiration.

In conclusion, Poetry Nocturne In A Deserted Brickyard is a masterpiece of American poetry that captures the essence of Carl Sandburg's unique style and themes. The poem is a powerful statement about the enduring nature of poetry, and it provides a sense of hope and beauty even in the darkest of places. Sandburg's use of free verse, vivid imagery, and metaphor create a sense of rhythm and flow that is unique to his style, and the poem remains a testament to his talent and vision.

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