This may be a lot to ask from you, but could you explain the structure of this poem; more precisely, why the lines are “broken” in the way that they are?
I’m new to poetry and I adore the art form; I just don’t possess an understanding of the structural foundations.
I totally understand this is a lot to ask from you, but if you have a referral to a podcast or essay that explains the concepts of poetry, I’m here to learn.
In "A Hollow Tree," Bly uses line breaks to create pauses and emphasize imagery, enhancing the poem's rhythm and mood.
The breaks highlight specific details and allow the reader to absorb each image slowly.
For learning resources, you can check out "The Poetry Magazine Podcast" and Mary Oliver's "Poetry Handbook." Both are excellent for understanding poetry structure.
Love the stanza about Inside the hollow walls there is privacy and secrecy, dim light. My studio apartment in SF is full to the brim with these qualities. Special meanings. Dave Pi 3.14
Funny … I just unearthed The Anatomy of Melancholy from a stack on my desk today, a stack that hasn't been touched in months. I had left off near the end of the first partition: still have a long ways to go. Going to let Burton sing me lullabies to sleep tonight.
Bly is one of my favorite poets. I first met him and heard him read his poetry more than 50 years ago when I was a freshman in college. His poetry is full of concrete images.
Bly: "I've tried in prose poems to lift the sounds up /
I call sounds such as er/in/or "sound particles."
Here's Bly's prose-poem "A Hollow Tree":
I bend over an old hollow cottonwood stump, still standing, waist
high, and look inside. Early spring. Its Siamese temple walls are all
brown and ancient. The walls have been worked on by the intricate
ones. Inside the hollow walls there is privacy and secrecy, dim light.
And yet some creature has died there.
On the temple floor feathers, gray feathers, many of them with
a fluted white tip. Many feathers. In the silence many feathers.
This may be a lot to ask from you, but could you explain the structure of this poem; more precisely, why the lines are “broken” in the way that they are?
I’m new to poetry and I adore the art form; I just don’t possess an understanding of the structural foundations.
I totally understand this is a lot to ask from you, but if you have a referral to a podcast or essay that explains the concepts of poetry, I’m here to learn.
Enjoy your Memorial Day,
Surin
Hey Surin, I'm not sure if this is much help but:
In "A Hollow Tree," Bly uses line breaks to create pauses and emphasize imagery, enhancing the poem's rhythm and mood.
The breaks highlight specific details and allow the reader to absorb each image slowly.
For learning resources, you can check out "The Poetry Magazine Podcast" and Mary Oliver's "Poetry Handbook." Both are excellent for understanding poetry structure.
Hope that helps!
Love the stanza about Inside the hollow walls there is privacy and secrecy, dim light. My studio apartment in SF is full to the brim with these qualities. Special meanings. Dave Pi 3.14
This is so close to home.
Thank you.
Robert,
Your poem beautifully captures the quiet solace of finally finding a space that feels like home. Thank you for this lovely piece 🙌
so gorgeous and so much in so few words..a true poem
Funny … I just unearthed The Anatomy of Melancholy from a stack on my desk today, a stack that hasn't been touched in months. I had left off near the end of the first partition: still have a long ways to go. Going to let Burton sing me lullabies to sleep tonight.
Bly is one of my favorite poets. I first met him and heard him read his poetry more than 50 years ago when I was a freshman in college. His poetry is full of concrete images.
He has such a way with words. Thank you for sharing
Ah... Melancholy. My favorite gal...
Beautiful write up
Beautiful setting
Simple and breathtaking
Love it ❤️
Wow!
So beautiful 💜
Gratitude
Love this piece! It paints this picture of a new beginning, like finally finding your own place in the world.
Wow. I've never read a lot of Bly, but I love this -- just those first two lines are amazing!
Huh, this somewhat redeems those pay to play "wild man" gatherings he had decades ago.
Great poem to wake up to. My gods are comedians and writers and Kafka is one of them so the reference deepens my experience with this poem.