Change is in the Air

Analysis of the Poem

Change is in the air

When you are heart broken

dwell on the happy moments

that fleeted past like a dream

you wanted to cherish forever

When you are on cloud nine

think of your last sad episode

that slowly pierced your heart

you wanted to get rid off at once

Both mere gases of this planet

Why be a bloated or a deflated balloon?

This poem, "Change is in the air," offers a concise yet profound reflection on the transient nature of human emotions and the importance of maintaining emotional equilibrium. Let's break down its key elements:

Structure and Form:

The poem is relatively short, consisting of three stanzas. The first two stanzas are quatrains (four-line stanzas), while the final stanza is a tercet (three-line stanza), creating a sense of conclusive reflection. There's no strict rhyme scheme, contributing to a conversational and reflective tone, though some end words in the first two stanzas ("dream," "forever" / "heart," "once") show a loose sonic connection. The simple language makes it accessible and direct.

Analysis by Stanza:

• Stanza 1: "When you are heart broken..."
  

  • This stanza addresses the experience of heartbreak, a universally relatable emotion.

  • The advice given is to "dwell on the happy moments / that fleeted past like a dream / you wanted to cherish forever." This suggests a coping mechanism: finding solace and perspective by remembering past joys.

  • The simile "fleeted past like a dream" emphasizes the ephemeral quality of happiness, but also its preciousness ("you wanted to cherish forever"). It highlights the bittersweet nature of memory when one is suffering.

• Stanza 2: "When you are on cloud nine..."
  

  • This stanza presents the antithesis of heartbreak: extreme happiness ("on cloud nine").

  • The advice here is equally crucial: "think of your last sad episode / that slowly pierced your heart / you wanted to get rid off at once." This acts as a grounding mechanism.

  • It reminds the reader that even in moments of great joy, sorrow is never far behind, and true emotional intelligence involves acknowledging this cyclical nature. The imagery of a "slowly pierced heart" effectively conveys the lingering pain of sadness.

• Stanza 3: "Both mere gases of this planet / Why be a bloated or a deflated balloon?"
  

  • This is the philosophical core of the poem.

  • The powerful metaphor "Both mere gases of this planet" diminishes the overwhelming power we often ascribe to our emotions. By comparing intense joy and sorrow to "gases," the poem suggests they are insubstantial, changeable, and ultimately, a part of the natural world, rather than defining aspects of our being.

  • The rhetorical question "Why be a bloated or a deflated balloon?" vividly illustrates the extremes of emotional states. A "bloated balloon" represents excessive, perhaps unsustainable, elation, while a "deflated balloon" symbolizes profound sadness or despair. The question implicitly urges the reader to avoid these extremes and strive for a more balanced, centered emotional state. It promotes emotional moderation.

Themes:

• Emotional Transience: The central theme is that both joy and sorrow are temporary states.

• Emotional Balance/Equilibrium: The poem advocates for a mindful approach to emotions, suggesting that one should not be wholly consumed by either extreme.

• Perspective: By contrasting happy and sad memories, the poem encourages a broader perspective on one's emotional landscape.

• Mindfulness: The advice to "dwell on" or "think of" past experiences promotes a form of emotional mindfulness, where one consciously engages with their emotional state.

Overall Message:

"Change is in the air" is a wise and practical poem about emotional resilience. It advises readers to cultivate a balanced perspective, remembering that all emotional states are fleeting. Instead of being swept away by the highs or crushed by the lows, the poem encourages a steady, grounded approach to life's emotional fluctuations, suggesting that true well-being lies in recognizing the impermanence of feelings and not letting them define one's entire existence. The concluding metaphor brilliantly encapsulates the idea of maintaining an even keel amidst the "gases" of life's emotional atmosphere.