Exploring the Elegiac Beauty in Wallace Stevens' Poems about Death

Wallace Stevens, one of the greatest American poets of the 20th century, possessed a unique ability to transform complex philosophical ideas into mellifluous verses that resonate deeply with readers. Throughout his body of work, Stevens contemplated the profound and enigmatic nature of death, exploring its multifaceted dimensions with both curiosity and reverence. In this article, we will delve into Stevens' poignant poems about death, marveling at their elegiac beauty and profound insights.

The Emperor of Ice-Cream

One of Stevens' most celebrated poems, The Emperor of Ice-Cream, offers a poignant meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Stevens reminds us of the fragility of existence and the need to cherish every moment.

"Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream."

Stevens' skillful use of juxtaposition in this poem, contrasting the mundane with the extraordinary, forces readers to confront the inevitability of death in the midst of life's simplest pleasures. The poem encourages us to let go of societal illusions and embrace the fleeting beauty of existence.

Sunday Morning

In Sunday Morning, Stevens contemplates the idea of an afterlife and the absence of traditional religious beliefs. The poem presents a speaker who questions the significance of traditional notions of heaven and instead finds solace in the beauty and richness of the natural world.

"Death is the mother of beauty, mystical,
Within whose burning bosom we devise
Our earthly mothers waiting, sleeplessly."

These lines capture Stevens' belief that death and beauty are inseparable. Death, in this context, serves as a catalyst for appreciating the intricate wonders of life. By rejecting traditional religious dogma, Stevens invites readers to seek transcendence not through the afterlife, but through embracing the present moment.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird presents a series of thirteen concise and evocative verses, each offering a different perspective on the blackbird. Though not explicitly about death, Stevens subtly weaves mortality into these vivid images, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life.

"I was of three minds,
Like a tree
In which there are three blackbirds."

In these lines, Stevens captures the essence of transience. Just as the blackbird's presence is fleeting, so too is our time on earth. The poem subtly encourages readers to contemplate their mortality and find meaning in the brevity of existence.

Wallace Stevens' poems about death invite readers to explore the profound mysteries of mortality while celebrating the beauty found in life's impermanence. Through his masterful use of imagery, language, and philosophical musings, Stevens encourages us to confront our own mortality and find solace in the transient nature of existence. His poems continue to resonate with readers, reminding us to live fully and appreciate the ephemeral beauty that surrounds us.