I always find it interesting to read the thoughts a poet has on his work. Coming from the school of thought that all art is subjective, and that meaning is personal and can be found in all things, it is still fascinating to read an artists opinion on their creations. I mentioned in class "The Red Wheelbarrow," mostly to humor myself. That poem has always made me smile, partially for its complex simplicity, but often because I am never sure if I am kidding myself when I try to defend its merit. If that can be a poem, can anything? The book talks of the preciseness of the wording, or the structure, or the differing meaning of every passing phrase, but do those matter when it comes to poetry? I don't know if I'll ever find a satisfying answer for that question. "The Red Wheelbarrow" does take me to a perfect rainy April day in the farmlands of Tennessee. I see a barn that was once red, and a wheelbarrow that no matter how much rust appears on it, will always shine brightly red in places. The grass is always piercing green after an afternoon storm, and it contrasts the red dizzyingly. This poem makes me think of an idealized home that I am not sure I ever experienced. My mind still sees it vividly, and thus it will never forget what this poem does for me.
When I spoke in class, I said my friend had a class where someone argued that this was about WWII. That is why poetry always holds a place in my heart. Eight lines can sum up WWII to someone, and that is just perfect. Some may see this poem as a passing thought, just as if a young man was driving a long, and thus this is nothing but brain chatter. That is also wonderful. Williams "jokingly" said that this was a perfect poem, and maybe it is. It accomplishes so much, with very little. Maybe that is the testament to true poetry, what can be accomplished with the words one is given.
Here is a song that inspires a similar feeling from me, for music is poetry's loving sister.
Works Cited: Booth, Alison, and Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2011. Print.
I didn't like this poem very much. I guess I am too used to poems like "The Raven" that are considerably longer. Though I agree that short poems have considerable power if their words are invested right. But I don't think the "Red Wheelbarrow" has too much significance; it seems more like a simple poem that takes place in an isolated spot on a farm next to a couple of chickens. He probably wanted to see how people would react to its shortness.
I didn't like this poem very much. I guess I am too used to poems like "The Raven" that are considerably longer. Though I agree that short poems have considerable power if their words are invested right. But I don't think the "Red Wheelbarrow" has too much significance; it seems more like a simple poem that takes place in an isolated spot on a farm next to a couple of chickens. He probably wanted to see how people would react to its shortness.
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