I have turned my face
Joseph Auslander's poem captures a yearning to escape the chaos of urban life and find peace in nature. The speaker turns away from "streets and crowds" to seek solace in a "windy place" and "clouds," symbolizing a desire for tranquility and simplicity.
The poem contrasts the oppressive nature of the city, with "skyscrapers that scratch out the sky" and "wet newspapers always whipping by," against the serene beauty of nature. The speaker's heart, once burdened by the city's demands, is now free to be "split apart by wind and rain," suggesting a willingness to embrace the raw, cleansing forces of nature.
Emotionally, the poem moves from a sense of suffocation and restlessness in the city to a feeling of liberation and peace in the natural world. The tone is contemplative and serene, reflecting the speaker's longing for a simpler, more connected existence.
Auslander employs vivid imagery and sound to enhance the poem's themes. The "bees drone" and "wild swan lift high and harsh" create a symphony of natural sounds that contrast with the city's noise. The repetition of "I will" emphasizes the speaker's determination to find solace in nature.
Ultimately, the poem speaks to the universal desire for escape and renewal. It reflects Auslander's broader themes of introspection and the healing power of nature, inviting readers to consider their own relationship with the natural world and the spaces they inhabit.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| skyscrapers | tall buildings | very tall buildings that reach high into the sky | skai-skray-perz |
| clarion | clear and loud sound | a clear, shrill sound like a trumpet | kla-ree-on |
| jewel-weed | a type of plant | a plant with bright flowers, often found near water | joo-uhl-weed |
| drone | continuous humming sound | a low, continuous humming or buzzing sound | drohn |
| marsh | wetland | a wetland area with grasses and reeds | mahrsh |
| crooked | bent or twisted | bent or not straight | krook-ed |
| bronze | a metal color | a brownish metal | bronz |
| tugging | pulling strongly | pulling hard | tuh-ging |
| repass | pass again | to pass by again | ree-pass |
| atmospheric | relating to the air | pertaining to the air or atmosphere | at-muhs-feh-rik |
Joseph Auslander was an American poet known for his lyrical and contemplative style. He served as the first Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1937 to 1943. Auslander's work often reflects themes of nature and introspection.