Boy at the Window, by Richard Wilbur
February 24th 2009 01:24
Seeing the snowman standing all alone
In dusk and cold is more than he can bear.
The small boy weeps to hear the wind prepare
A night of gnashings and enormous moan.
His tearful sight can hardly reach to where
The pale-faced figure with bitumen eyes
Returns him such a God-forsaken stare
As outcast Adam gave to paradise.
The man of snow is, nonetheless, content,
Having no wish to go inside and die.
Still, he is moved to see the youngster cry.
Though frozen water is his element,
He melts enough to drop from one soft eye
A trickle of the purest rain, a tear
For the child at the bright pane surrounded by
Such warmth, such light, such love, and so much fear.
This is just an overall good poem. It has good structure, and its rhyme scheme informs and energizes the poem, rather than enervating it, as is the case with "Hallmark" poetry, which many self-proclaimed 'free-verse' poets blanket-label any rhyming verse.
Also, there aren't many adjectives or adverbs; what few are present help inform the poem instead of weigh it down with heavy loads of unnecessary letters. It flows right along with a narrative, verby feel, which is a classic mark of world-renowned poetry.
As for any deeper meanings in this poem, I'm cut off from that knowledge. Maybe I'm just too tired and frazzled from a long day of classes, but I can't coherently piece any thoughts together about what this poem might mean. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to share them!
Have a good night, everyone!
| 42 |
| Vote |
