Poetry

Waking with Russell

Summary of the poem:

• "Waking with Russell" by Don Paterson is a sonnet that explores the profound impact the poet's newborn son, Russell, has had on his life and the strong love he feels for him.
• The poem begins with the poet waking up next to his son, who smiles, filling the poet's life with newfound joy.
• In the second section, the poet addresses Russell directly, expressing how his presence has transformed his life and given it meaning.
• The poem celebrates the continuous joy and love brought by Russell's presence.

The inspiration for the poem:

• Don Paterson wrote this poem as a reflection on the deep love and joy he experiences as a father to his newborn son, Russell.

The form of the poem:

• The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet.
• It reverses the conventional order, starting with a sestet followed by an octave, symbolizing the transformative impact of Russell's arrival on the poet's life.
• The sonnet maintains a loose ABAB, CDCD, EFEFEF rhyme scheme.
• It follows the iambic pentameter, creating a dignified rhythm appropriate for the subject.

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Poetry

Analysis

Sestet (First Six Lines):

• In the first six lines of "Waking with Russell," the poet describes the intimate moment of waking up next to his newborn son, Russell, comparing it to a romantic encounter ("face to face like lovers"). Russell is only four days old, and his smile brings immense joy to the poet, symbolizing the dawn of happiness and new beginnings. The poem emphasizes the undoubtable and unwavering nature of Russell's smile, highlighting its continuous source of happiness. The son's innocent smile has a profound impact on the poet, making him smile genuinely and rediscover his innate happiness, contrasting with his previously forced and insincere grin.

Octave (Last Eight Lines):

• The second part of the poem, the octave, is a direct address to Russell. The poet reflects on his own life, feeling as if he was halfway through his journey, lost and without a clear purpose ("mezzo del cammin"). Russell's arrival interrupts the poet's path, becoming a guiding light that illuminates his way forward. The son's smile is described as the true gift that never leaves the giver, symbolizing the enduring source of joy and love. The smile is compared to a river that flows through both the father and son, emphasizing its selfless and continuous nature. The poem concludes with an exclamation of joy, celebrating the awakening of love and purpose. The poet kisses Russell, pledging his commitment to his son forever, ending the poem on an optimistic note.

In summary, the sestet captures the moment of awakening next to Russell, emphasizing the profound impact of his smile on both father and son. The octave delves into the poet's reflections on life's journey, the transformative power of Russell's presence, and the enduring joy symbolized by the son's smile, culminating in a declaration of love and commitment.

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Poetry

Two themes of the poem:

Father and Son Relationship:

• The poem explores the profound love and joy experienced by the poet as a father to his son, Russell.
• Paterson describes how Russell's presence has given his life new purpose and direction, illuminating his path.
• The poem celebrates the mutual love and happiness shared between the father and son, symbolized by Russell's smile.
• Quote: "How fine, I thought, this waking amongst men!"
• Development: Russell's presence has transformed the poet's life and given him a sense of purpose, making him appreciate the beauty of existence.

Revelatory Moments:

• The poem captures the idea of revelatory moments, where simple, everyday events become significant and life-changing.
• The poet's awakening next to Russell symbolizes a transformative moment when he is filled with joy and purpose.
• The smile on Russell's face is portrayed as a powerful and continuous source of happiness.
• Quote: "it all began / face to face like lovers."
• Development: The poem conveys the idea that profound revelations can occur in the most ordinary moments, such as waking up next to a loved one.

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Poetry

Two images in the poem:

Russell's Smile:

• The poet uses Russell's smile as a central image in the poem to represent joy, love, and the transformative power of his son's presence.
• The smile is described as dawning and unbreakable, radiating happiness.
• Quote: "Russell's smile dawned on him; it would not fall or waver."
• Development: Russell's smile is a constant source of joy, filling both the child and the poet with happiness and rekindling the poet's innate delight.

The True Path:

• The concept of the "true path" is used as a metaphor to describe the poet's journey through life.
• Russell is portrayed as a guide who illuminates this path and gives it meaning.
• Quote: "the true path was lost to me, / the path was lost."
• Development: Russell's arrival interrupts the poet's previous course through middle age, leading to a rediscovery of purpose and direction in life.

Two style techniques used in the poem:

Reversal of Sonnet Structure:

• Paterson reverses the traditional order of a Petrarchan sonnet, beginning with a sestet followed by an octave.
• This structural reversal mirrors the transformation in the poet's life after Russell's birth.
• The structure underscores the idea that life has taken a new and unexpected direction.

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Poetry

Exclamatory Language:

• The poem employs exclamatory language, such as "How fine, I thought," to emphasize moments of revelation and joy.
• These exclamations add a sense of enthusiasm and celebration to the poem, highlighting the profound impact of Russell's presence.

Two language techniques used in the poem:

Contrasting Language:

• The poem uses contrasting language to highlight the difference between the poet's forced "grin" before Russell's birth and the genuine, joyful "smile" on Russell's face.
• The contrast underscores the transformative power of Russell's presence on the poet's life.

Allusion:

• Paterson alludes to Dante's Inferno and the idea of the "mezzo del cammin" (halfway along the path) to convey the poet's sense of middle age and purposelessness before Russell's arrival.
• The allusion adds depth to the poem's exploration of life's journey and how Russell acts as a guide towards a meaningful path.

Personal Reflection

1. How does the poem 'Waking with Russell' by Don Paterson resonate with your own experiences of love, joy, and profound moments in life?

2. How does the reversal of the traditional sonnet structure in the poem impact your interpretation of the poet's journey and the role of Russell in his life?

3. In what ways does the poem challenge or affirm your perspective on the significance of everyday moments and their potential for transformation and revelation?