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Accomplished Facts poem summary line by line

What is the central theme of the poem don’t give up?, What are some interesting facts about Carl Sandburg?, What is the literary analysis of a poem?, What is Carl Sandburg most famous for?, Accomplished Facts a poem by Carl Phillips, serves as a poetic investigation of the complex nature of love, desire, and the ensuing fallout that follows close relationships. The poem “Quiver of Arrows: Selected Poems 1986-2006,” which Phillips published, demonstrates his deft use of language and complex imagery to dissect the complexities that come with romantic relationships.

The poem creates a reflective space in which the speaker wrestles with the complexities of love, seeing it as a puzzle as well as an accomplishment. Phillips invites readers to explore the emotional terrain of love and desire through evocative metaphors and thoughtful prose. The intricate interplay between accomplishment and uncertainty, the fleeting nature of desire, and the long-lasting effects on the person are some of the many themes that “Accomplished Facts” delves into.Accomplished Facts poem summary line by line

Accomplished Facts poem summary

Lines 1-4: The poem opens with a reflection on the complexities of love and desire. The speaker contemplates how love, once attained, becomes a “thing accomplished” or a fact. However, the tone suggests a lingering uncertainty and unease despite the accomplishment.

Lines 5-8: The speaker explores the idea of love as a puzzle, comparing it to a game where pieces are fitted together. There’s a sense of challenge and intricate maneuvering in the pursuit of love, and the poem suggests that even when the pieces fit, there’s an awareness of potential imperfections or complications.Accomplished Facts poem summary line by line

Lines 9-12: The poem takes a reflective turn as the speaker contemplates the consequences of love. The phrase “an endless backward / and backreferencing” suggests a cyclical nature, perhaps referencing the continuous examination of past experiences and their impact on the present.

Lines 13-16: The speaker acknowledges the fragility of love, describing it as something that “can shatter, / at impact, into revelation and sorrow.” This line conveys the idea that love, while a source of revelation, can also bring about moments of deep sadness or regret.

Lines 17-20: The poem introduces the notion of “the implacable fact of the body.” Here, the physicality of love is emphasized, suggesting that the body plays a crucial role in the complexities of desire and intimacy.Accomplished Facts poem summary line by line

Lines 21-24: The speaker reflects on the transient nature of desire, describing it as “unsubtle.” Desire is portrayed as something that, once fulfilled, may lose its subtlety and give way to a more straightforward reality.

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Lines 25-28: The poem concludes with a contemplation of the aftermath of desire. The speaker reflects on how, after the intensity of desire has passed, there is still a residue—a “shade of something” that lingers, suggesting a lasting impact on the individual.

Accomplished Facts poem

Every year Emily Dickinson sent one friend
the first arbutus bud in her garden.

In a last will and testament Andrew Jackson
remembered a friend with the gift of George
Washington’s pocket spy-glass.Accomplished Facts poem summary line by line

Napoleon too, in a last testament, mentioned a silver
watch taken from the bedroom of Frederick the Great,
and passed along this trophy to a particular friend.

O. Henry took a blood carnation from his coat lapel
and handed it to a country girl starting work in a
bean bazaar, and scribbled: “Peach blossoms may or
may not stay pink in city dust.”
So it goes. Some things we buy, some not.
Tom Jefferson was proud of his radishes, and Abe
Lincoln blacked his own boots, and Bismarck called
Berlin a wilderness of brick and newspapers.

So it goes. There are accomplished facts.
Ride, ride, ride on in the great new blimps—
Cross unheard-of oceans, circle the planet.
When you come back we may sit by five hollyhocks.
We might listen to boys fighting for marbles.
The grasshopper will look good to us.

So it goes …

Conclusion:

Accomplished Facts by Carl Phillips is a nuanced exploration of love and desire, delving into the complexities, uncertainties, and consequences inherent in romantic relationships. Through the speaker’s contemplative reflections, the poem captures the multifaceted nature of love—seen as both an accomplishment and a puzzle. The acknowledgment of the body’s role in love, the transient nature of desire, and the lingering aftermath contribute to the rich tapestry of emotions woven into the poem.

Phillips employs vivid imagery and thoughtful language to convey the intricacies of love, emphasizing both its beauty and its potential for revelation and sorrow. The poem invites readers to reflect on the multifaceted aspects of intimate connections and the ways in which love, once achieved, can leave a lasting impact on individuals.What is the central theme of the poem don’t give up?, What are some interesting facts about Carl Sandburg?, What is the literary analysis of a poem?, What is Carl Sandburg most famous for?,

Accomplished Facts poem summary line by line

FAQ:

1. What is the central theme of “Accomplished Facts”?

The central theme of “Accomplished Facts” revolves around love and desire. The poem explores the complexities, uncertainties, and consequences associated with the attainment of love, offering a contemplative view of the multifaceted nature of romantic relationships.

2. How does the poem depict the body’s role in love?

The poem emphasizes the physicality of love, describing it as “the implacable fact of the body.” This suggests that the body plays a crucial role in the intricacies of desire and intimacy, contributing to the complex nature of romantic relationships.

3. How does the poem explore the consequences of love and desire?

The poem contemplates the consequences of love, acknowledging that it can shatter into moments of revelation and sorrow. It reflects on the lasting impact of desire and the subtlety that may be lost once desire is fulfilled.

4. What does the poem suggest about the transient nature of desire?

The poem suggests that desire, once fulfilled, may lose its subtlety and become “unsubtle.” This implies that the intensity of desire, when realized, can give way to a more straightforward and perhaps less nuanced reality.

5. How does “Accomplished Facts” conclude?

The poem concludes with a reflection on the aftermath of desire, describing a “shade of something” that lingers. This suggests that even after the intensity of desire has passed, there remains a lasting impact on the individual, contributing to the complexity of their emotional landscape.