Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Mark Jarman's poem "Easy Sermon" reflects on the paradoxical ease with which sermons can be delivered in times of crisis and uncertainty. Through a mix of sardonic wit and poignant observation, Jarman critiques the simplicity with which profound messages are often conveyed when the world is in turmoil, suggesting that such moments naturally lend themselves to spiritual or rhetorical insight.

The poem begins with an assertion from a friend: "It must be easy to preach a sermon nowadays." This statement sets the tone for the poem, which explores why preaching becomes easier during times of chaos and disaster. Jarman immediately delves into the mechanics of sermons: "Sermons are easy, / Turgid or breezy, / When everything goes wrong." The rhyme scheme and rhythmic structure create a sing-song quality, highlighting the almost formulaic nature of sermons in such contexts.

Jarman continues by stating that "Every scripture / Leads on to rapture, / When doom has struck its gong." This line emphasizes the tendency for religious texts to take on heightened significance during catastrophic events. The imagery of doom striking a gong evokes a sense of inevitable calamity that compels people to seek solace and meaning in scripture.

The poem touches on the ease of prayer during crisis: "When towers are falling / And muezzins are calling, / It's simple to kneel and pray." The reference to falling towers and the call of muezzins, possibly alluding to events like 9/11, underscores the universality of seeking divine intervention in the face of disaster. The simplicity of kneeling and praying suggests an instinctive turn towards spirituality when confronted with overwhelming fear and uncertainty.

Jarman observes that in such times, "A message will come / To the deaf and the dumb / In an easygoing way." This line implies that clarity and understanding of spiritual messages become more accessible when people are desperate for answers. The "deaf and the dumb" symbolize those who are typically unresponsive or disconnected from spiritual messages, yet find themselves receptive during crises.

The poem continues with a depiction of unveiling hidden truths: "When nothing is certain, / Up goes the curtain / Where the inner sanctum lurks." This metaphor of a curtain rising reveals the previously hidden or ignored spiritual or existential realities. The line "And everyone sees / The forest and trees, / The treason and the clerks" suggests a sudden clarity and recognition of the interconnectedness of all things, including the corruption and failings of societal structures.

Jarman concludes by focusing on the preacher's role: "And so every creature / Turns to the preacher / For the meaning of it all." In times of turmoil, people naturally look to religious or moral leaders for guidance and interpretation. The final lines, "And a couple of cents / Can be sheer eloquence / When the highest powers fall," imply that even the simplest, most modest messages can carry profound weight and eloquence when authoritative structures collapse.

In "Easy Sermon," Mark Jarman effectively critiques the simplicity with which profound spiritual messages can be delivered during times of crisis. The poem's rhythmic structure and rhyme scheme lend a lyrical quality that underscores the ease and predictability of such sermons. Through vivid imagery and keen observation, Jarman invites readers to reflect on the nature of spiritual insight and the human tendency to seek meaning in the face of disaster.

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