I read both poems and I can immediately envision being in a beach. A white-sand beach filled with tropical fruit.
In "Dream Variations", I think of an undiscovered paradise where I am the only inhabitant. When darkness comes, it totally covers the beach and only the moon and stars provide the light.
In "The Tropics in New York", I envision a vacation spot where tropical fruits and fresh juices are being served.
For me, these places represent a simple and enjoyable time where stress is a stranger.
One of the ways that a passive reader can become an active reader is by "eliminating distractions" since the reader is often able to take in far more information this way. Of course reading more helps as well.
