History by John Burnside (1955-)
John Burnside's poem 'History' is a reflective piece that juxtaposes the serene act of flying kites on a beach with the underlying tension of global events, specifically the September 11 attacks. The poem opens with a vivid description of a day at St Andrews beach, capturing the sensory details of the environment. The poet contrasts this peaceful scene with the ominous presence of warplanes and the 'muffled dread' of the news, symbolizing the intrusion of global events into personal spaces. As the speaker kneels in the sand with a child, collecting shells and pebbles, he meditates on the nature of identity and existence, suggesting that what defines us is not our relationships or societal roles, but the intangible dreams and aspirations we hold. The poem explores themes of connection and disconnection, both with the natural world and within human relationships. Burnside reflects on the fear of losing the natural world and the challenge of remaining present and attentive in a world increasingly dominated by virtual experiences. The imagery of marine life and the child's innocence underscores the fragility and beauty of life, while the poem's closing lines emphasize the importance of being attentive to the 'irredeemable' aspects of existence, urging a mindful engagement with the world.
| Word | Easy Meaning | Translation | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| cambered | arched, curved | slightly curved or arched | cam-berd |
| tideworn | worn by the tide | shaped by the tide | tide-worn |
| driftwork | debris, remnants | debris left by the tide | drift-work |
| transitive | temporary, passing | temporary or changing | tran-si-tive |
| irredeemable | unable to be saved | cannot be saved or changed | ir-re-deem-a-ble |
| kinship | family relationship | family connection | kin-ship |
| estuary | river mouth | where river meets sea | es-tu-ar-y |
| ornamental | decorative | for decoration | or-na-men-tal |
| insomnia | sleeplessness | can't sleep | in-som-ni-a |
| silt | fine sand, mud | fine earth particles | silt |
| anemone | sea creature | sea animal with tentacles | a-nem-o-ne |
| tether | tie, bind | to tie or bind | teth-er |
| quail-grey | gray like a quail | gray like a quail | quail-grey |
| gazed-upon | looked at | looked at or observed | gazed-upon |
| dune slacks | low areas in dunes | low areas between dunes | dune slacks |
John Burnside was a Scottish writer known for his poetry and prose. He won the T. S. Eliot Prize and the Forward Poetry Prize for his book 'Black Cat Bone' in 2011. Burnside's work often explores themes of nature, memory, and the human condition.
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