![]() |
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
John Hollander's poem "Breadth. Circle. Desert. Monarch. Month. Wisdom" is a profound meditation on the nature of these concepts and their unique qualities that resist conventional poetic structure, particularly rhyme. Through a series of reflective and philosophical musings, Hollander explores the intrinsic properties of each concept and their place in the broader tapestry of existence. The poem begins with "Not as height rises into lightness / Nor as length strengthens," setting up a comparison that emphasizes the distinctive nature of breadth. Unlike height, which ascends towards the light, or length, which reinforces itself through extension, breadth "wields its increase over nothing." This description captures the expansive, almost passive quality of breadth, which spreads out without the need for a central anchor or purpose. It is "our unwanted dimension, / Yet necessary," indicating its essential but often overlooked role in defining space and form. Hollander continues with a discussion of geometric properties: "What the square can share of its rightness / Extends a just plainness; the sure swerve of a / Curve continues beyond itself." Here, he contrasts the stability and straightforwardness of the square with the endless continuation of a curve. The curve, unlike the square, represents continuity and the potential for infinite extension, encapsulated in the idea of the circle: "But O, the old closure! Circle of will returning / Inward to prison, wrenching all tangencies back." The circle, while complete and self-contained, also implies a sort of confinement, pulling everything towards its center and limiting outward expansion. The poem then shifts to the "Solitariness of Desert," portraying it as a "Lonely Monarch" presiding over an "unwanted dimension." The desert's vast, empty expanses symbolize isolation and the absence of true connections or "true attachments." This solitude is contrasted with the human inclination towards companionship and the bonds that typically define relationships and communities. Hollander's exploration of "Month" reflects its cyclical nature and its relationship with time: "Sole rondures of day unrolling stay / The approach of stillness, and between them and / The larger wheel of year appear / The lunar counterturns in cold, reflected selfhood." The month, governed by the moon's phases, operates in its own cycle, subtly influencing the flow of time without being directly tied to the solar year. This independence highlights the month as a solitary unit of time, distinct from the broader cycles it interacts with. The poem culminates with the concept of "Wisdom," which is described as "full, / Whole, unrhymable." Unlike youth and love, which are transient and reliant on physical and emotional connections, wisdom stands alone, enduring beyond the ephemeral nature of other experiences. It remains "unrhymable," indicating its unique and immutable nature that cannot be easily captured or confined by conventional poetic devices. Hollander concludes by urging the reader to "Intone them then: Breadth Circle Desert / Monarch Month Wisdom not for whatever spell / They generate but for their mere / Inexorable syntax." This invocation emphasizes the intrinsic power of these concepts, not derived from their meaning or magical properties, but from their existence and the fundamental structure they represent. The poem's focus on "the eye's movement outward" suggests a vision that extends beyond the self, claiming dominion through observation and understanding rather than through relationships or commonalities. "Breadth. Circle. Desert. Monarch. Month. Wisdom" is a contemplative piece that invites readers to reflect on the nature of these fundamental concepts. Hollander's eloquent exploration reveals their inherent solitude and significance, urging us to recognize and appreciate their unique roles in shaping our perception of the world. Through his masterful use of language and philosophical insight, Hollander transforms these seemingly simple words into profound meditations on existence and the nature of understanding.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER THE GENTLE POET KOBAYASHI ISSA by ROBERT HASS INTERRUPTED MEDITATION by ROBERT HASS TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN WRITING IS AN AID TO MEMORY: 17 by LYN HEJINIAN LET US GATHER IN A FLOURISHING WAY by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA IN MICHAEL ROBINS?ÇÖS CLASS MINUS ONE by HICOK. BOB VARIATIONS: 16 by CONRAD AIKEN UNHOLY SONNET 13 by MARK JARMAN SPELL FOR ENCANTO CREEK by MARK JARMAN SENT ON A SHEET OF PAPER WITH A HEART SHAPE CUT OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF IT by JOHN HOLLANDER |
|