Welcome to an insightful exploration of “The Man with the Saxophone,” a profound poem by Ai Ogawa. This guide delves into the poem’s rich tapestry of themes, powerful imagery, and masterful use of literary and poetic devices, offering a comprehensive understanding for anyone seeking to appreciate its depth. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning within this compelling work, examining how language and structure combine to create an unforgettable experience.
The Man with the Saxophone
By Ai Ogawa
New York. Five A.M.
The sidewalks empty.
Only the steam line pouring from the manhole covers seems alive,
as I amble from shop window to shop window,
sometimes stopping to stare,
sometimes not.
Last week’s snow is brittle now and unrecognizable as the soft,
white hair that bearded the face of the cityI head farther down Fifth Avenue toward the thirties,
my mind empty like the Buddhists tell you is possible if only you don’t try.
If only I could turn myself into a bird like the shaman I was meant to be,
but I can’t I’m earthbound and solitude is my companion,
the only one you can count on.
Don’t, don’t try to tell me otherwise.
I’ve had it all and lost it and I never want it back,
only give me this morning to keep,
the city asleep, and there on the corner of Thirty-fourth and Fifth,
the man with the saxophone,
his fingerless gloves caked with grime,
his face also,the layers of clothes welded to his skin.
I set down my case,
he steps backward to let me know I’m welcome,
and we stand a few minutes in the silence so
complete I think I must be somewhere else,
not here, not in this city,
this heartland of pure noise.
Then he puts the sax to his lips again and I raise mine.
I suck the air up from my diaphragmand bend over into the cold,
golden reed, waiting for the notes to come,
and when they do
for that one moment, I’m the unencumbered bird of my imagination,
rising only to fall back toward concrete,
each note a black flower, opening,
mercifully opening into the unforgiving new day.
The Man with the Saxophone Summary and Central Ideas
Ai Ogawa’s “The Man with the Saxophone” is a compelling free verse poem that explores profound themes of urban solitude, the search for connection, and the transient beauty found in unexpected moments. The poem gained prominence through its inclusion in her collection, The Collected Poems of Ai, showcasing her characteristic unflinching honesty and evocative imagery.
The poem opens with the speaker wandering the desolate, pre-dawn streets of New York City. This setting immediately establishes a mood of quiet introspection amidst the typically bustling urban landscape. The speaker observes the lingering cold of winter and reflects on a chosen state of solitude, which is presented not as loneliness, but as a deliberate companion. This internal quietude is a central idea, highlighting a conscious detachment from past attachments and a desire for the simple, present moment.
A pivotal moment occurs when the speaker encounters a saxophone player on a street corner. This encounter transcends mere observation, evolving into a shared experience through music. The silence preceding their joint playing emphasizes the profound connection forged without words, a momentary escape from the city’s relentless energy. The central idea here is the power of music as a universal language, capable of fostering deep, albeit fleeting, understanding between individuals.
Ultimately, the poem contrasts the harsh realities of urban life with the fragile beauty of this musical interlude. The speaker’s transformation into an “unencumbered bird” through music, only to return to the “concrete” reality, underscores the temporary nature of such transcendence. Yet, the final image of “each note a black flower, opening, mercifully opening into the unforgiving new day” suggests that even in the most isolating environments, moments of grace, connection, and profound expression are possible, offering a vital reprieve.
The Man with the Saxophone Analysis: Literary Devices
Ai Ogawa masterfully employs a variety of literary devices to enrich the poem’s meaning and create a powerful emotional impact. Understanding these techniques is crucial for a complete appreciation of “The Man with the Saxophone.”
Imagery
Imagery involves the use of vivid language that appeals to the senses, creating mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader. The poem is rich in visual and tactile imagery, immersing the reader in the urban setting.
New York. Five A.M.
The sidewalks empty.
Only the steam line pouring from the manhole covers seems alive,
These opening lines immediately establish a desolate, cold, and quiet atmosphere. The “empty sidewalks” and “steam line pouring” create a stark visual of a city just beginning to stir, emphasizing the speaker’s isolation. Further examples include “Last week’s snow is brittle now” which evokes a sense of lingering cold and decay, and “his fingerless gloves caked with grime, his face also,” which paints a vivid, gritty portrait of the saxophone player, highlighting the harshness of his existence.
Metaphor
A metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike things, suggesting a deeper connection without using “like” or “as.” Ai Ogawa uses metaphor to convey complex ideas and emotions.
Last week’s snow is brittle now and unrecognizable as the soft,
white hair that bearded the face of the city
Here, the snow is metaphorically compared to “white hair that bearded the face of the city.” This comparison gives the city a human quality, suggesting age and a weathered appearance, while also transforming the mundane snow into something organic and almost venerable. The most striking metaphor concludes the poem:
each note a black flower, opening,
mercifully opening into the unforgiving new day.
This powerful metaphor equates each musical note to a “black flower.” The image of a black flower suggests a beauty born of hardship, sorrow, or the darkness of urban life. Its “opening” implies a release, a moment of fragile emergence and grace, contrasting with the “unforgiving new day.”
Simile
A simile is a direct comparison between two different things, typically using the words “like” or “as.” Similes in the poem illuminate the speaker’s internal state and desires.
my mind empty like the Buddhists tell you is possible if only you don’t try.
This simile compares the speaker’s empty mind to a state achieved through Buddhist meditation, revealing a longing for spiritual tranquility and detachment. Another powerful simile expresses a desire for freedom:
If only I could turn myself into a bird like the shaman I was meant to be,
Here, the speaker wishes to transform into a bird, like a shaman, symbolizing a yearning for liberation from earthly constraints and a connection to a more spiritual, unencumbered existence. The subsequent line, “but I can’t I’m earthbound,” reinforces the contrast between aspiration and reality.
Personification
Personification is a literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. This technique imbues the urban environment with a sense of life and character.
white hair that bearded the face of the city
The city is personified as having a “face” that is “bearded” by snow. This gives the urban landscape a living, almost ancient quality, suggesting that the city itself is a character with its own history and presence. The “steam line pouring from the manhole covers seems alive” also subtly personifies the steam, making it appear as a breathing entity in the otherwise still morning.
Symbolism
Symbolism involves the use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else, often a more abstract concept. The poem uses several potent symbols.
The saxophone itself is a central symbol. It represents artistic expression, communication that transcends words, and the ability to find beauty and connection in unexpected places. It is the instrument through which the speaker and the man find common ground and momentary transcendence. The “black flower” is another significant symbol, representing a difficult or melancholic beauty, a moment of grace that emerges from hardship or the anonymity of urban life. It symbolizes the profound, yet perhaps somber, beauty found in the music and the shared experience.
Allusion
Allusion is an indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work. The poem uses allusions to add layers of meaning and context to the speaker’s internal state.
my mind empty like the Buddhists tell you is possible if only you don’t try.
If only I could turn myself into a bird like the shaman I was meant to be,
The mention of “Buddhists” and “shaman” subtly introduces themes of spirituality, mindfulness, and a search for deeper meaning. These allusions provide a cultural and philosophical backdrop for the speaker’s desire for mental emptiness and spiritual transformation, highlighting a yearning for a state of being beyond the material world.
Anaphora
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. While not extensively used, it contributes to the poem’s rhythm and emphasis.
sometimes stopping to stare,
sometimes not.
The repetition of “sometimes” in the opening stanza creates a sense of listlessness, aimlessness, and detached observation, reflecting the speaker’s wandering thoughts and physical movement through the city.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words. This device adds a subtle musicality and emphasis to certain phrases.
sometimes stopping to stare
The repetition of the ‘s’ sound here creates a soft, almost whispering effect, mirroring the quiet, early morning atmosphere and the speaker’s gentle observations. Another instance can be found in “white hair that welded,” though less direct, it contributes to the poem’s sonic texture.
Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within closely connected words. This technique contributes to the poem’s internal rhythm and emotional resonance.
I’ve had it all and lost it
The repetition of the short ‘a’ sound in this line creates a sense of weariness and resignation, emphasizing the speaker’s past experiences of gain and loss and her current state of detachment.
Consonance
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in close proximity. This device adds texture and cohesion to the language.
as I amble from shop window to shop window
The repetition of the ‘w’ sound here creates a sense of fluid, continuous movement, mirroring the speaker’s unhurried ambling through the city streets. The ‘d’ sound in “earthbound and solitude is my companion” also subtly links these concepts.
The Man with the Saxophone Analysis: Poetic Devices
Beyond specific literary figures, certain poetic devices are central to the overall structure and impact of “The Man with the Saxophone.”
Free Verse
Free verse is poetry that does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. “The Man with the Saxophone” is written in free verse, which allows for a natural, conversational tone and emphasizes the poem’s content and emotional flow over strict formal constraints.
This choice of form mirrors the speaker’s wandering thoughts and physical journey through the city. The lines vary in length, and the rhythm feels organic, much like spoken language or a stream of consciousness. This freedom allows Ai Ogawa to capture the raw, unfiltered experience of the speaker’s introspection and the spontaneous nature of the musical encounter, making the poem feel immediate and authentic.
Diction
Diction refers to the poet’s deliberate choice of words. Ai Ogawa’s diction in this poem is often stark, precise, and unflinching, lending a raw honesty to the narrative. She balances concrete, descriptive language with more abstract and evocative phrasing.
Words like “empty,” “brittle,” “grime,” and “unforgiving” contribute to a sense of harsh reality and weariness. Conversely, words such as “unencumbered,” “mercifully,” and “imagination” introduce moments of lightness, hope, and spiritual aspiration. This careful selection of words creates a powerful contrast between the gritty urban environment and the speaker’s internal world, enhancing the poem’s emotional depth.
Stanza Structure
Stanza structure refers to the arrangement of lines into groups. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each varying in length. This variation in stanza length creates a sense of rhythm and pacing that mirrors the speaker’s shifting thoughts and the unfolding narrative.
The longer second stanza, for instance, delves deeply into the speaker’s internal reflections on solitude and past losses, reflecting a sustained period of introspection. The shorter, more focused final stanza brings the poem to a concise, impactful conclusion, emphasizing the fleeting yet profound nature of the musical moment. This flexible structure allows the poem to breathe and flow naturally, guiding the reader through the speaker’s experience without rigid constraints.
Tone
Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject matter, conveyed through word choice and style. The tone of “The Man with the Saxophone” evolves throughout the poem.
It begins with a tone of detached observation and weary resignation, evident in lines such as “sometimes stopping to stare, sometimes not” and “solitude is my companion, the only one you can count on.” This initial tone reflects a sense of acceptance of a solitary existence and a past marked by loss. However, as the speaker encounters the saxophone player and begins to play, the tone shifts. It moves toward a sense of hopeful transcendence, even if fleeting, and a profound appreciation for the shared musical moment. The final lines, “mercifully opening into the unforgiving new day,” convey a sense of grace and a temporary reprieve from harsh reality, indicating a shift towards a more accepting and even reverent tone.
Conclusion: The Enduring Resonance of “The Man with the Saxophone”
“The Man with the Saxophone” stands as a powerful testament to the human capacity for connection and transcendence, even amidst the isolating backdrop of urban life. Ai Ogawa’s masterful use of literary and poetic devices transforms a simple street encounter into a profound meditation on solitude, music, and the fleeting moments of grace that illuminate our existence. By exploring the poem’s intricate layers of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, readers gain a deeper appreciation for its central ideas: the quiet strength found in chosen solitude, the universal language of music, and the fragile beauty that can emerge from the most unexpected corners of an unforgiving world. This poem invites contemplation, reminding us that even in the quietest hours, profound experiences await those open to their subtle melodies.