Young Poet by Maxwell Bodenheim
The poem explores the duality of youth and the complexities of emotional experience. It juxtaposes moments of joy and sorrow, highlighting the tension between boldness and timidity. The imagery of a grinning face that suddenly shifts to a more somber expression reflects the transient nature of happiness and the weight of pain. The speaker observes a transformation in the subject, who embodies both innocence and the burdens of maturity. The metaphor of an old man watching children suggests a longing for lost youth and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. The "kirtle of borrowed skies" symbolizes the fleeting nature of dreams and aspirations, while the "sorrow luring your horizons" indicates an impending sense of loss or disillusionment. As the poem progresses, the theme of inner turmoil becomes more pronounced. The subject's calmness is described as "stealthy" and "angry," suggesting a struggle to reconcile conflicting emotions. The imagery of "unsent arrow" implies unexpressed feelings or desires, emphasizing the tension between external appearances and internal realities. Overall, the work delves into the complexities of youthful experience, capturing the interplay of joy, sorrow, and the inevitable passage of time. It reflects on the challenges of navigating emotions and the search for meaning amidst the chaos of life.
By Maxwell Bodenheim · First published 1921 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Lyrical · 172 words
First lines
The grinning clamour on your face Dies abruptly, for moments: Boldness and timidity Are swept, transfigured, against each other. But the glistening turmoil Once more spurns itself with jests That light its troubled hands.
When too much pain has lowered The eyelids of your mood, A peaceful humour wraps your face. You are like an old man Watching children fly from his fingertips. In your kirtle of borrowed skies You find a sorrow luring your horizons Into hesitating brightness. When night remembers, you have straightened Into stealthy, angry calmness Fingering it first, unsent arrow.
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Young Poet is listed on Textopian as a poem by Maxwell Bodenheim, dated 1921 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Maxwell Bodenheim
- Date: 1921 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Lyrical, Symbolism, Romanticism
- Length: 172 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is characterized by its use of verse, imagery, and emotional expression typical of poetry.
- Modernist — The themes of inner turmoil and complex emotional states reflect modernist tendencies in literature.
- Lyrical — The focus on personal emotions and the exploration of the self aligns with lyrical poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols and metaphors to convey deeper meanings is prevalent in the text.
Tags
Poetry · Coming-of-age · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 1920s · Modernism · Experimental Writing · Stream-of-Consciousness · Autobiographical · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis · Social Commentary