Saturday, 11 August 2007

The Metro, a Librarian, the Stars, and a Worn Spot

Among the finest "classic" short poems in the English language is the following by Ezra Pound.  Showing the influence of one of the initial waves of Eastern forms on Western poetry, this is a poem that continues to resonate for the today's readers precisely because it captures that timeless Eastern quality that has nothing to do with style:

 

In a Station of the Metro

The apparition of these faces in the crowd: 

Petals on a wet, black bough

 

 

 

For cogent, in depth analysis of this little gem, check out Mark Doty's talk, which may be found at

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19705

on the poets.org website.  Though analysis in it's many ugly forms leaves me cold, this will keep you thinking.  Meanwhile, in the ongoing stroll through past issues of Lilliput, three poems from issue #110 (April 2000): 

THE LIBRARIAN ASKED

CAN YOU WAIT

FOR THAT BOOK

ON

FIFTH CENTURY

BUDDHIST STATUARY

- John Harter

 

 

It's strange, I know

but, writing in diners,

I feel

closer to the stars.

- Albert Huffstickler

 

Old men

in stiff white shirts

moving from room to room,

placing a hand

on a worn spot.

- W. T. Ranney

Posted by donw714 at 10:40 EDT | Post Comment | Permalink
Updated: Saturday, 11 August 2007 11:18 EDT

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