Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Matthews' poem "Outer Space" delves into themes of curiosity, the limits of understanding, and the cyclical nature of existence through the metaphor of turning the moon on a lathe. The poem opens with a hypothetical scenario: "If you could turn the moon / on a lathe, you would / because you are curious." This initial assertion establishes a fundamental human trait—curiosity, the desire to explore and manipulate the unknown. The act of turning the moon on a lathe symbolizes an attempt to reshape or understand it, a metaphor for humanity's broader quest for knowledge.

The poem quickly points out the folly in this curiosity by suggesting that such an action would "explain / why the moon slivers, / but explain it stupidly." This highlights a common pitfall in human understanding: the tendency to focus on simplistic explanations without considering the complexities involved. The moon's phases are likened to "slivers," but the poem criticizes this superficial interpretation by reminding us that understanding the moon's rounding, or its cyclical nature, requires deeper contemplation.

Matthews uses the metaphor of "stupid ideas / for feet" to convey how misguided notions can lead us astray. The personification of feet as retorting with "The better to wander / with" underscores the paradox of exploration driven by flawed reasoning. The poem seems to suggest that our intellectual journeys, while well-intentioned, often result in partial or misunderstood conclusions.

The imagery of shaving "taut / spirals from the moon" introduces a tactile, almost craftsman-like approach to understanding. These "kinks of tightening light" represent the gradual removal or loss of layers, symbolizing how our attention to detail can sometimes strip away the broader context, making the subject "smaller / the better you did it." The idea here is that excessive focus on minutiae can lead to a reduction in the overall understanding, as we lose sight of the bigger picture.

The metaphor of the moon as a screw or a corkscrew, and the circular staircase to sleep, reinforces the idea of cyclical motion and the inevitability of return. These images suggest that no matter how far we delve into our explorations or contemplations, we eventually circle back to familiar points or states. The moon's disappearance "as far as it can go and still come back" further emphasizes the cyclical nature of existence and the limits of our reach, even in our curiosity.

The poem's closing stanzas present a surreal and introspective image of the moon becoming "all / stomach, like a melon," filled with a nest "aslosh with seeds." This visceral imagery evokes a sense of both creation and consumption, as if the moon is a womb or a space filled with potential yet also an endpoint. The speaker suggests that the nest, representing safety or a starting point, is something that one has been meaning to leave, implying a tension between comfort and the desire to explore beyond known boundaries.

The final image of curling "around the outside...like the sky that goes away forever" encapsulates the infinite and elusive nature of knowledge and the universe. It suggests an eternal quest for understanding that ultimately leads us back to where we began, with an expanded but still incomplete perspective.

In "Outer Space," Matthews uses rich, evocative imagery and metaphors to explore the human condition, particularly our endless curiosity and the inherent limitations in our pursuit of knowledge. The poem reflects on the delicate balance between exploration and understanding, acknowledging the beauty and futility in trying to grasp the infinite complexities of existence. Through the metaphor of the moon and its transformations, Matthews invites readers to contemplate the cyclical nature of life and the mysteries that lie beyond our comprehension, leaving us with a sense of wonder and humility.

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