Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Tony Hoagland's "History of Desire" is a reflective narrative that explores the intersection of youthful impulsiveness and the inescapable imprint of the past. The poem begins with the nostalgic recollection of a seventeen-year-old's intoxication with first love, portrayed through the metaphor of being "drunk / on the husky, late-night flavor / of your first girlfriend's voice / along the wires of the telephone." This vivid imagery sets the stage for the youthful exuberance and recklessness that follow.

The speaker's decision to "steal / your father's El Dorado" and "cruise out to the park on Driscoll Hill" epitomizes the rebellious and carefree spirit of adolescence. The use of the father's car, a symbol of authority and adulthood, signifies a moment of defiance and the desire to assert one's own identity. This journey culminates in the climactic act of climbing the water tower to "aerosol her name in spraycan orange / a hundred feet above the town." The choice of "spraycan orange" evokes a sense of urgency and vibrancy, reflecting the intensity of youthful emotions.

The central act of writing "DORIS" on the water tower is imbued with significance. It is described as "amplified enough to tell the world / who's playing lead guitar / in the rock band of your blood." This metaphor highlights the conflation of love and identity, suggesting that the act of declaring love is also an act of self-expression and self-definition. The imagery of "yard-high, iridescent script" emphasizes the grandiosity and permanence the speaker seeks in this declaration.

However, the poem shifts dramatically as it moves forward a decade to "10 A.D., / a decade after Doris." The speaker, now older, encounters the remnants of his youthful passion, with "RON LOVES DORIS / still scorched upon the reservoir." The stark contrast between the past and the present is underscored by the speaker's reaction: a mix of embarrassment and a desperate desire to escape, depicted through the frantic acceleration of his Mustang.

The poem delves into the concept of history as an ever-present force, catching up with individuals when least expected: "This is how history catches up— / by holding still until you / bump into yourself." The unexpected encounter with the past prompts a visceral reaction, a desire to "spray gravel / across the features of the past, / or accelerate into oblivion." This reaction speaks to the complex emotions associated with revisiting past selves and actions.

Hoagland's exploration of desire and experience is encapsulated in the reflection on how "if desire is acceleration, / experience is circular as any / Indianapolis." The metaphor of the Indianapolis racetrack suggests that life's journey is not linear but cyclical, with individuals continually revisiting their pasts. The poem acknowledges that with age comes a different perspective, a mix of being "more freaked out, or less afraid." This cyclical nature of experience suggests a perpetual process of coming to terms with one's history.

The concluding lines offer a poignant resolution, urging the speaker to "stop today. / In the name of Doris, stop." This plea can be interpreted as a call for reconciliation with the past, an acknowledgment of its enduring impact, and a recognition of the need to move forward without being ensnared by previous actions.

In "History of Desire," Hoagland masterfully blends narrative and reflection to explore themes of love, identity, and the passage of time. The poem's structure, with its shift from past to present, mirrors the cyclical nature of experience it describes. Through vivid imagery and poignant metaphors, Hoagland captures the intense emotions of youth and the nuanced understanding that comes with age, ultimately presenting a meditation on the enduring influence of our past desires and actions.

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