Delving into the Depths of Existence: 'What We Pass On: Collected Poems 1980-2009' by Naomi Shihab Nye

What We Pass On: Collected Poems: 1980-2009 (Essential Poets Series Book 166)

by K.C. Lannon

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	733 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	1 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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In the realm of poetry, few voices resonate with such raw emotion and profound insight as that of Naomi Shihab Nye. Her 'What We Pass On: Collected Poems 1980-2009' is a testament to her extraordinary talent, offering a poignant exploration of the human experience across time, memory, and the complexities of familial and cultural bonds.

A Tapestry of Memory and Identity

Throughout the collection, Nye weaves together personal anecdotes, historical events, and cultural observations, creating a rich tapestry of memory and identity. In the poem 'The Traveling Onion,' she writes:

"I am the onion with my skin of many paper pages I am the woman with my layers of time I am the traveler with my stories of the road."

Like the layered onion, Nye's poems peel back the layers of her own experiences, revealing the intricate connections between past and present, self and others.

The Power of Language and Connection

Nye's work is also a celebration of the transformative power of language. In 'Arabic Coffee,' she evokes the warmth and hospitality of her family gatherings through the ritual of coffee-making:

"The coffee was like the words spoken in the language of the heart the kind you don't have to listen to your body knows it perfectly."

Language, for Nye, transcends words; it becomes a bridge that connects individuals and cultures, allowing them to share their stories and experiences.

The Weight of History and Heritage

Interwoven within the personal narrative is Nye's exploration of the weight of history and heritage. In the poem 'The Ash and Flutes,' she confronts the horrors of the Holocaust:

"Shadows of us all, ash and flutes shadows of us all, smoke and keys shadows of us all, bones and birds shadows of us all, ashes of flutes."

Nye's words echo with a somber reminder of the atrocities committed and the resilience of the human spirit that endures beyond such darkness.

The Enduring Bonds of Family

Family is a central theme that permeates throughout Nye's work. In 'Come As You Are,' she beautifully captures the complexities of sibling relationships:

"We love each other with all our blood and all our pain and all our love we love each other as the sea loves the shore and the shore loves the sea."

Nye's poems explore the nuances of familial love, its joys and sorrows, its endurance and its power to shape our lives.

Legacy and the Passing of Time

As the title suggests, 'What We Pass On' grapples with the concept of legacy and the passing of time. In 'The Burden of Memory,' Nye writes:

"The burden of memory is heavy but it is also a gift it is the only way to know where we come from and where we are going."

Nye acknowledges the weight of history and the stories that are passed down from generation to generation, shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.

'What We Pass On: Collected Poems 1980-2009' is a profound and deeply moving collection that invites us on a journey of self-discovery, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. Through her masterful use of language and evocative imagery, Naomi Shihab Nye paints a vivid portrait of the world around us, exploring the intricate connections between memory, family, culture, and the enduring power of words. This collection is a testament to Nye's extraordinary talent and a gift to all who seek solace, inspiration, and a glimpse into the depths of their own humanity.

What We Pass On: Collected Poems: 1980-2009 (Essential Poets Series Book 166)

by K.C. Lannon

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	733 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	1 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE