New and Selected Poems | Themes

New and Selected Poems Themes

Preview of New and Selected Poems Summary:

Death as a Continuation of the Natural Order of Things

Several of the poems included in this volume focus on death and decay as necessary components in any life-cycle. Also, in many of the poems, death is portrayed as a purposeful and decidedly impersonal phenomenon, especially in terms of the plant and/or animal world. For example, "Morning Glories" (page 157), tells of beautiful flowers growing "all caught up in the cornstalks," and that regardless of "their finery," the flowers will be cut down when the corn is harvested. In other words, death comes to everything, irrespective of one's readiness or one's real or imagined worth. That the flowers are beautiful is not at issue here. The issue is that while the flowers may have much to offer the observer's eye and while the moment of observation allows the opportunity for recall from memory, this is often all that remains when something or someone dies. Also, in "Morning Glories," the poet...
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