Green Escape – Joseph Auslander
Green Escape
– Joseph Auslander
I have turned my face
Away from streets and crowds
To a windy place
An clouds
I have turned from skyscrapers
That scratch out the sky
From wet newspapers
Always whipping by.
I have taken away my heart,
I will give it again
To be split apart
By wind and rain
I will stand like a stone
All day in the grass
Where the bees drone
And pass and repass.
I will watch them brush
Gold across their legs
Here the bird at hush
Over her eggs
I will hear the wild swan
Lift high and harsh
His crooked clarion
Across the marsh.
Where the jewel-weed hangs,
Where the spotted streams runs,
Where the green bettle bangs
Brozen on brozen-
Rooted in the deep ground,
The sky tugging at my hair,
There will I be found-
There!
Translation
আমি আমার মুখ ফিরিয়েছি
রাস্তা ও ভিড় থেকে,
একটি ঝড়ো স্থানে
এবং মেঘে।
আমি আকাশের সাথে খোঁচাখুঁচি করা
স্কাইস্ক্রেপারগুলি থেকে ফিরেছি,
ভেজা খবরের কাগজগুলি
সবসময় উড়ে চলে।
আমি আমার হৃদয় নিয়ে চলে এসেছি,
এটি আবার দেবো
যে এটি টুকরো টুকরো হবে
ঝড় এবং বৃষ্টির মধ্যে।
আমি একটি পাথরের মতো দাঁড়াবো
সারা দিন ঘাসে,
যেখানে মৌমাছিরা গুঞ্জন করবে
এবং চলতে থাকবে।
আমি দেখব
তাদের সোনালী রঙ ছোঁয়া
এখানে পাখি নিশ্চুপ
তার ডিমের উপরে।
আমি শুনব বন্য সওয়ানের
উচ্চ এবং তীক্ষ্ণ উত্থান
তার বাঁকা শিঙ্গার শব্দ
মার্শের ওপরে।
যেখানে রত্ন-গাছ ঝুলছে,
যেখানে দাগানো স্রোত বয়ে চলেছে,
যেখানে সবুজ বিটল ঝনঝন করে
পিচ্ছিল পিচ্ছিল-
গভীর মাটিতে আঠালো,
আকাশ আমার চুলে টান দিচ্ছে,
সেখানে আমি পাওয়া যাবো-
সেখানে!
Summary:
“Green Escape” by Joseph Auslander explores the theme of nature’s ability to provide solace and an escape from the harsh realities of life. In the poem, the speaker expresses a longing to retreat to a peaceful, green sanctuary—a place untouched by the struggles and burdens of the world. This natural refuge symbolizes a space of tranquility and renewal, where one can find respite and reconnect with a sense of calm. The poem emphasizes the contrast between the chaos of human life and the serenity offered by the natural world, suggesting that nature provides a much-needed escape for the weary soul.
Theme:
The theme of the poem Green Escape by Joseph Auslander revolves around the desire for freedom and escape from the constraints of everyday life. The poem emphasizes nature as a source of solace, renewal, and refuge. The “green” in the title likely symbolizes the lush, vibrant aspects of nature, which serve as a metaphor for a sanctuary or a place of healing away from the struggles or monotony of the human world. Auslander uses the imagery of the natural world to explore themes of rejuvenation, peace, and the yearning to reconnect with something pure and untainted by human conflict or stress.
Literary Term:
“Green Escape” by Joseph Auslander employs various literary terms and devices to convey its themes and imagery. Here are some of the key literary terms used in the poem:
Imagery: The poem uses vivid, sensory descriptions to evoke a mental picture of nature, such as “green escape,” which brings to mind an image of lush, verdant surroundings, and “twilight’s leafy dome,” which conjures a picture of the natural world at dusk.
Metaphor: The “green escape” in the title and throughout the poem can be interpreted as a metaphor for freedom, renewal, or a refuge from the troubles of the world, where “green” symbolizes nature’s restorative qualities.
Personification: The poem might use personification when describing elements of nature, such as trees, leaves, or other features of the environment being given human qualities, like being described as “whispering” or “calling.”
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, particularly at the beginning of words, can be found in the poem to create rhythm or enhance its musicality. For example, phrases like “sweet solitude” or “whispers in the wind.”
Symbolism: Nature is a major symbol in the poem, representing escape, tranquility, and perhaps a return to a more innocent or peaceful state. The “green” often symbolizes growth, life, and renewal.
Rhyme scheme: The poem may have a structured rhyme scheme that helps unify the lines and create a musical flow, which adds to the meditative and peaceful tone of the poem.
Allusion: The poem might contain references to other literary works, mythological figures, or classical themes, enriching the text by drawing connections to broader ideas of escape, nature, and reflection.
Tone: The tone of the poem may be one of serenity, calm, or contemplation as it explores the theme of seeking refuge in nature. The language used is likely gentle and soothing, with an overall sense of peace.
Enjambment: The poem may use enjambment, where lines flow into the next without a pause, which can mimic the continuous movement of nature or the feeling of an uninterrupted escape.
These literary devices all contribute to the atmosphere of the poem and its exploration of the relationship between nature and the human desire for escape or solace.
Here are some short questions and answers based on the poem “Green Escape” by Joseph Auslander:
1.Who is the speaker in the poem?
Answer: The speaker is an individual seeking an escape from the troubles and stresses of life.
2. What does “Green Escape” refer to?
Answer: “Green Escape” refers to nature or a place of peace, symbolized by greenery, where the speaker seeks refuge.
3. What does the speaker want to escape from?
Answer: The speaker wants to escape from the chaos and harshness of the modern world.
4. How does the poem describe nature?
Answer: Nature is described as a calming, peaceful, and rejuvenating escape from the struggles of life.
5. What is the tone of the poem?
Answer: The tone is longing and reflective, with a desire for peace and tranquility.
6. What is the main theme of “Green Escape”?
Answer: The main theme is the desire for peace and retreat into nature to escape the overwhelming pressures of life.
7. What role does nature play in the poem?
Answer: Nature serves as a refuge and a healing place where one can find solace and escape from the harsh realities of life.
8. Does the poem suggest a permanent escape?
Answer: No, the poem suggests a temporary retreat into nature, rather than a permanent escape from life’s troubles.
9. How does the poet convey the contrast between the natural world and human-made surroundings?
Answer: The poet contrasts the peace and beauty of nature with the harshness and artificiality of human-made surroundings, highlighting the desire for simplicity and calm.
10. What does the speaker hope to find in the “Green Escape”?
Answer: The speaker hopes to find rest, peace, and a break from the burdens of the world in the green, natural surroundings.
Extra Questions
Here are some short questions and answers based on the poem “Green Escape” by Joseph Auslander:
Q: What is the central theme of “Green Escape”?
A: The central theme of the poem is the desire to escape the harsh realities of life and find peace in nature.
Q: How does the speaker feel about the natural world?
A: The speaker feels a deep longing for the calm and healing that nature offers, viewing it as a refuge from the troubles of life.
Q: What does “green escape” symbolize in the poem?
A: “Green escape” symbolizes the peaceful and rejuvenating qualities of nature, specifically the color green which is associated with growth, tranquility, and renewal.
Q: How does the speaker wish to escape?
A: The speaker wishes to escape from the chaos and pain of life and retreat into the serenity of the natural world.
Q: What role does nature play in the poem?
A: Nature is portrayed as a source of comfort and a sanctuary from life’s struggles, providing an emotional refuge.
Q: What tone does the poem convey?
A: The tone of the poem is wistful and yearning, as the speaker expresses a desire to escape to nature for peace and solace.
Q: Does the poem suggest an idealistic or realistic view of nature?
A: The poem presents an idealistic view of nature, seeing it as a perfect escape from life’s hardships.
Q: What is the significance of the title “Green Escape”?
A: The title suggests the idea of finding freedom and renewal in the green, natural world as an alternative to human conflict and chaos.