Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Song of the Builders," Mary Oliver uses a simple yet profound natural scene as a lens through which to explore existential questions about the divine, individuality, and the collective human endeavor. She turns a seemingly mundane event-the observation of a cricket moving grains on a hillside-into an occasion for contemplating God, the meaning of individual effort, and the larger tapestry of existence.

The poem begins with Oliver sitting "on a hillside / to think about God," setting a contemplative tone. The phrase "a worthy pastime" imparts a sense of seriousness and philosophical weight to the exercise. The introduction of the cricket-a small, often overlooked creature-might seem incongruent with the grandiosity of contemplating God. However, it's this disparity that Oliver wants us to focus on.

The cricket is "moving the grains of the hillside / this way and that way," engaging in a laborious but humble effort. The lines "How great was its energy, / how humble its effort" encapsulate the paradox that Oliver highlights: the simultaneous grandeur and modesty of existence. The cricket's actions are simple but infused with an energy that's inordinately great for such a small creature. By focusing on this minor insect, Oliver suggests that the divine can be discovered in the most inconspicuous places, in the seemingly mundane details of life.

"Let us hope / it will always be like this," the poem continues, suggesting a wish for continuity and endurance. Oliver underscores the value of each individual's contributions-no matter how small-to the grander scheme of things: "each of us going on / in our inexplicable ways / building the universe." The word "inexplicable" conveys a sense of mystery and marvel, emphasizing that individual lives are not merely cogs in a cosmic machine but manifestations of something beyond comprehension.

The cricket's humble labor becomes an allegory for human existence. Like the cricket, people also engage in efforts that are simultaneously "great" in energy and "humble" in the cosmic scheme. Oliver seems to suggest that the universe is not only built by cosmic forces but also by these humble, individual efforts. These actions, insignificant as they might appear, contribute to the inexplicable, ever-unfolding process of "building the universe."

The universality of the cricket's action elevates it from mere insect to a sort of spiritual teacher, offering a lesson in humility, devotion, and the profound impact of simple acts. By framing the cricket's activities within a meditation on God, Oliver makes a subtle yet powerful assertion: the divine is not just to be sought in grand phenomena or complex theologies but can also be found in the simplest, most humble of efforts that collectively contribute to the grandeur of existence.

Thus, "Song of the Builders" serves as a humble yet powerful paean to the beauty and mystery of life itself, encapsulating how every small act-be it from human or insect-is part of the ineffable process that makes the universe what it is. The poem itself becomes an act of 'building,' piecing together observations, philosophical musings, and spiritual yearnings to offer a nuanced understanding of our place in the cosmic design

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