The Man in the Wind: A Poem of Turbulent Silence
Anne Stevenson's poem "The Man in the Wind" is a haunting exploration of the human condition, one that strips away the trappings of myth and ideology to reveal the raw, unbridled power of nature. The speaker's description of the wind as "a roar, a continuous roar / that will become human" is both terrifying and mesmerizing, like the sound of waves crashing against an invisible shore.
The poem begins with a stark image: the man in the wind, who "keeps us awake tonight," is not a figure of comfort or reassurance. Rather, he embodies the unrelenting force of nature, one that cannot be tamed or controlled. The speaker rejects the idea that the wind can be personified as a symbol of mythic power, instead choosing to focus on its raw, animalistic presence.
As the poem progresses, Stevenson employs a range of techniques to create a sense of sonic unease. The use of sparing rhymes and attention to assonance creates a breath-like pattern that mirrors the natural flow of the wind. The lineation is deliberate and measured, echoing the rhythm of the human mind as it struggles to make sense of the turbulent world around us.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its exploration of the relationship between nature and humanity. The speaker's description of the wind as a "roar" that will become human suggests a blurring of boundaries between the two, one that challenges our traditional notions of what it means to be human. The comparison to waves where there is no shore shrinks the human time-span, emphasizing the impermanence and fleeting nature of our existence.
Ultimately, "The Man in the Wind" is a poem about the powerlessness of humanity in the face of an uncaring natural world. And yet, it is also a celebration of that same powerlessness, one that allows us to confront our own mortality and the unknown with a sense of awe and wonder. Stevenson's poetry is a testament to the enduring human spirit, one that finds beauty and meaning even in the most turbulent and chaotic of circumstances.
Anne Stevenson's poem "The Man in the Wind" is a haunting exploration of the human condition, one that strips away the trappings of myth and ideology to reveal the raw, unbridled power of nature. The speaker's description of the wind as "a roar, a continuous roar / that will become human" is both terrifying and mesmerizing, like the sound of waves crashing against an invisible shore.
The poem begins with a stark image: the man in the wind, who "keeps us awake tonight," is not a figure of comfort or reassurance. Rather, he embodies the unrelenting force of nature, one that cannot be tamed or controlled. The speaker rejects the idea that the wind can be personified as a symbol of mythic power, instead choosing to focus on its raw, animalistic presence.
As the poem progresses, Stevenson employs a range of techniques to create a sense of sonic unease. The use of sparing rhymes and attention to assonance creates a breath-like pattern that mirrors the natural flow of the wind. The lineation is deliberate and measured, echoing the rhythm of the human mind as it struggles to make sense of the turbulent world around us.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its exploration of the relationship between nature and humanity. The speaker's description of the wind as a "roar" that will become human suggests a blurring of boundaries between the two, one that challenges our traditional notions of what it means to be human. The comparison to waves where there is no shore shrinks the human time-span, emphasizing the impermanence and fleeting nature of our existence.
Ultimately, "The Man in the Wind" is a poem about the powerlessness of humanity in the face of an uncaring natural world. And yet, it is also a celebration of that same powerlessness, one that allows us to confront our own mortality and the unknown with a sense of awe and wonder. Stevenson's poetry is a testament to the enduring human spirit, one that finds beauty and meaning even in the most turbulent and chaotic of circumstances.
i mean the way she describes the wind as a "roar, a continuous roar / that will become human" is so unsettling but also kinda beautiful? like isn't that how i feel all the time when im stressed? 
anyway i was thinking about this poem and how it makes me realize how tiny we are in the grand scheme of things 
and yeah that sounds super depressing but like what if its true lol? what if our existence is just a small ripple in the ocean of life and then we're gone 
so maybe thats why im drawn to this poem, bc it makes me confront my own mortality 
I'm loving this poem about the man in the wind, it's like he's speaking straight to my soul 
. The way Stevenson describes the wind as a force that can't be tamed or controlled is so relatable, it's like the world is reminding us of our own tiny place in it 
. And the line about the roar becoming human? Mind blown 
.
omg i just read this poem and it's giving me CHILLS 
"the man in the wind" by anne stevenson is like totally haunting me rn 
i love how she uses words to describe the raw power of nature, it's like you can feel the wind blowing through your skin 
i mean, who needs a hero or a symbol when you have the actual force of nature itself? 
what does it even mean?! is it our humanity being consumed by nature or are we just becoming one with it? 
then suddenly it starts pouring rain and its all like "hey i'm still here" you know? like anne stevenson's guy, he just keeps going no matter what. but at the same time its kinda beautiful how she makes the wind sound so human lol 
. And what's with all these fancy literary terms? It sounds like she's trying way too hard to be deep and meaningful 
. Give me something that actually speaks to me, you know?
. I mean, on one hand, it's like Anne Stevenson is totally owning her fear of nature and acknowledging its power 
, which is actually super relatable for me. But at the same time, it's also kinda bleak thinking about how human we are and how tiny our existence feels compared to the natural world 
.
. And yeah, the line "the roar will become human" is wild 
...it's like, what does that even mean? 
. It's not always easy to confront, but maybe that's what makes it so powerful 
.
. But at the same time, it's also kinda beautiful? Like, in a terrifying way 
. I love how it makes me think about our place in the world and how fleeting everything is... it's like, we're all just here for a moment, and then we're gone 
. And what's with all the whitespace? It feels like I'm reading a novel instead of just a short analysis of the poem.
.
. It feels more like it's just plain loud and scary 
But what really resonates with me is how she explores the idea that we're not always in control. Like, can you imagine if our lives were just a series of waves crashing against an invisible shore? 
That's both unsettling and kinda beautiful. I love how Stevenson's use of language creates this sense of sonic unease, it's like you're right there with the speaker, feeling the wind whipping through your hair. And that final line about finding beauty in our powerlessness... yessss, that's real talk 
.
I mean, I guess it's not like I'm going to go out and start reciting poetry about the wind in my free time or anything... but still, can't we just talk about how cool it is to be alive in the 21st century without having to invoke some pseudo-intellectual symbolism?