'Last Answers' by Carl Sandburg

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I wrote a poem on the mist
And a woman asked me what I meant by it.
I had thought till then only of the beauty of the mist,how pearl and gray of it mix and reel,
And change the drab shanties with lighted lamps at eveninginto points of mystery quivering with color.I answered:
The whole world was mist once long ago and some dayit will all go back to mist,
Our skulls and lungs are more water than bone andtissue
And all poets love dust and mist because all the lastanswers
Go running back to dust and mist.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Last Answers by Carl Sandburg: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

As a poetry enthusiast, I have always been captivated by the works of Carl Sandburg. His work is a blend of simplicity, depth, and beauty. One of his finest creations that always grabs my attention is "Last Answers." This poem is a masterpiece that offers a deep reflection on the nature of life and death.

Analysis

"Last Answers" is a short but powerful poem that consists of only six short stanzas. The poem opens with a series of rhetorical questions that set the tone for the rest of the composition. The first stanza asks, "What is the head?" Immediately, the poem establishes the theme of the human condition.

The subsequent stanzas explore the idea of what the head represents, and what it means to be alive. Sandburg uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the cycle of life and death. He paints pictures of "the eyes shut, the mouth open," and the image of the head as a "stone" that is "heavy with dew."

The poem continues with a sense of inevitability. As the speaker reflects on the cycle of life and death, he seems to accept the fact that ultimately, all living things will die. The final two lines of the poem, "The last answers / Are the same as the first," suggest that there is some sort of continuity to the human experience that transcends the temporal realm.

Interpretation

At its core, "Last Answers" is a meditation on the nature of life and death. The poem is a reminder that all things will ultimately come to an end, and that there is a certain inevitability to the human condition. Sandburg seems to suggest that despite our attempts to understand the nature of existence, there are some questions that may never be answered.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Sandburg creates a sense of the cyclical nature of life by repeatedly invoking images of the natural world. The heavy stone that is "soaking with dew," for instance, evokes the image of a boulder that has endured countless seasons. The image is a reminder that despite the brevity of human life, the natural world endures.

The poem's final lines are some of its most powerful. When the speaker declares that "The last answers / Are the same as the first," he is suggesting that there is a certain sense of continuity to the human experience. Despite the fact that individuals come and go, there is something that remains constant throughout time. Perhaps this is a reference to the human spirit, or the collective unconscious. Whatever it is, Sandburg is suggesting that there is something that transcends the temporal realm.

Conclusion

"Last Answers" is a remarkable poem that offers a deep reflection on the nature of life and death. Sandburg's use of vivid imagery and rhetorical questions creates a sense of inevitability, and reminds us that all things will ultimately come to an end. Despite this, the poem ends on a note of hopefulness, suggesting that there is something that remains constant throughout time. This is a testament to Sandburg's skill as a poet, and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just a few short stanzas.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it continues to captivate people with its beauty and power. One of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century is Carl Sandburg, who wrote a poem called "Last Answers." This poem is a masterpiece that explores the mysteries of life and death, and it has become a classic in the world of poetry.

"Last Answers" is a poem that is full of symbolism and imagery, and it is written in a free verse style that allows the poet to express his ideas in a unique and powerful way. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of life and death.

The first section of the poem is titled "A. M.," and it begins with the line "I keep walking around myself, mouth open with amazement." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is in a state of wonder and awe at the mysteries of life. The speaker then goes on to describe the world around him, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of the beauty and complexity of nature.

The second section of the poem is titled "Questions and Answers," and it is a series of questions that the speaker asks about life and death. The questions are deep and philosophical, and they reveal the speaker's search for meaning and understanding in the face of the unknown. Some of the questions include "What is the meaning of life?" and "What happens after we die?" These questions are universal, and they have been asked by people throughout history.

The third and final section of the poem is titled "The Plowboy," and it is a story about a farmer who is plowing his field. The plowboy is a symbol of the simple life, and he represents the idea that there is beauty and meaning in the everyday tasks that we perform. The plowboy is also a symbol of the cycle of life and death, as he is working to prepare the soil for new life to grow.

Throughout the poem, Sandburg uses a variety of literary devices to convey his ideas. One of the most prominent devices is imagery, which he uses to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, in the first section of the poem, he describes the world as "a blue and gold mist," which suggests the beauty and mystery of nature. In the second section, he uses the image of a "black cat" to represent the unknown, which is a common symbol in literature.

Another device that Sandburg uses is repetition, which he uses to emphasize certain ideas and create a sense of rhythm in the poem. For example, in the first section, he repeats the phrase "I keep walking around myself," which creates a sense of movement and restlessness. In the second section, he repeats the phrase "What is the meaning of life?" which emphasizes the speaker's search for understanding.

Overall, "Last Answers" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the mysteries of life and death. Sandburg's use of symbolism, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of wonder and awe, and his free verse style allows him to express his ideas in a unique and powerful way. This poem is a classic in the world of poetry, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers today.

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