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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

AFTER CALLIMACHUS, by                 Poet's Biography

John Hollander's "After Callimachus" presents a poignant exploration of longing and fragmentation, evoking the classical tradition of the Greek poet Callimachus. This poem, rich in imagery and emotion, captures the sense of a soul divided, with one half remaining present and the other lost, wandering in an unknown realm.

The opening line, "Half my soul still breathes," immediately introduces the theme of duality. One part of the speaker's soul remains animate and grounded, while the other half is described as "breathless" and "flutters / About in the dark." This contrast between the breathing and the breathless, the light and the dark, sets up a dichotomy that permeates the poem. The lost half of the soul is depicted as being in love or running wild, suggesting a state of passion or confusion, both deeply emotional and disordered.

The phrase "Gone over the hill" implies a departure into an unknown or unreachable place, enhancing the sense of loss and separation. The speaker's plea, "Deserters get shot: / Help me find her," introduces a note of urgency and desperation. The metaphor of a deserter suggests betrayal or abandonment, but also a sense of necessity in the quest to reunite with the missing part of the soul.

The imagery shifts to the natural world, where the lost soul is likened to "one of those flakes / Of white on the waves." This comparison evokes a sense of fragility and transience, as flakes on the waves are easily dispersed and difficult to distinguish. The waves "play with her as / With my straining eyes," merging the natural imagery with the speaker's intense emotional state. The waves' playful yet indifferent nature contrasts with the speaker's desperate search, highlighting the uncontrollable forces that have taken the soul away.

The poem's structure, with its brief, fragmented lines, mirrors the theme of division and the scattered state of the speaker's soul. This form reinforces the sense of disconnection and the difficulty of reassembling what has been lost. The repetition of certain sounds and the rhythmic quality of the lines also create a musicality that echoes the classical roots of the poem, paying homage to Callimachus while embedding the narrative in a contemporary context.

Ultimately, "After Callimachus" is a meditation on the nature of loss and the enduring human desire for wholeness. Hollander's use of classical allusion and vivid imagery invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of fragmentation and the pursuit of lost parts of themselves. The poem's emotional depth and lyrical beauty make it a timeless piece that resonates with the universal struggle to reclaim what is most deeply cherished.


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