The+Widow's+Lament+in+Springtime

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// The Widow’s Lament in Springtime // is a short poem written by William Carlos Williams. What makes this poem a Modernist work? This poem is a prime example of a modernist work for several reasons. First of all there is a feeling of isolation and alienation (Worthington). When read, this poem seems hopeless. The diction used in this poem is very depressing. The first word is “sorrow”, this just starts the poem off regretfully. The most depressing line is at the very end. “…and fall into these flowers and sink into the marsh near them.” This poem seems to be hopeless.

Another characteristic of modernism is an emphasis on the individual and inner being rather than the social being (Worthington). This is shown because the author tells the readers how he feels and not so much as how the world might feel. This poem is seen through his eyes not the worlds. To him the world is turning on him and everyone is forgetting about him. “…today I notice them and turned away forgetting.” He feels hopeless, and in this time period that is how most people feel.

His view of the world is distorted. He feels that everyone is against him and that no one is on his side. The reader knows that this is not true because he has been married thirty five years and his son still loves him. He is just a downer. All he sees is the bad and does not look for the good. This is just a one sided poem and distorts the whole perception.

His writing seemed to be very artsy. The words he used and the images he created were amazing. This is probably from the fact that he grew up with a lot of visual art from his mom. “’There is no subject; it's what you put on the canvas and how you put it on that makes the difference. Poems aren't made of thoughts — they’re made of words…’” (Costello). This shows how Williams thought when he was writing. He was not thinking about how it came together rather than the word selection. This poem is a true piece of art. Williams’ goal in writing was “’ to fuse the poetry and painting. to make it the same thing.’” (Costello).

All poems have there own ways. No one poem is like the other. They may have some similarities, but they are not the same. Other modernist poems have the same characteristics. Williams usually writes with the same style, but it is never exactly the same. If you are from time period that does not mean you are the same. Overall modernist write with the same style.

Costello, Bonnie. "William Carlos Williams in a World of Painters." // Boston Review — Home //. Boston Review, 7 Jan. 2007. Web. 02 May 2010. <[]>.

"William Carlos Williams." //Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More//. Academy of American Poets. Web. 02 May 2010. <[]>.

Worthington, Leslie. "Characteristics of Modernism." //SOCRATES//. Troy University, 8 May 2007. Web. 02 May 2010. <[|http://socrates.troy.edu/~lworthington/eng2206/mod.htm]>.