Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wendell Berry's "How to Be a Poet (to Remind Myself)" is a meditative and instructive poem that explores the essence of the poetic craft and the poet's relationship with the world. Through a series of reflective directives, Berry presents a vision of poetry that is deeply rooted in silence, patience, and an intimate engagement with the natural world. The poem is divided into three sections, each offering insights into the disposition, environment, and ethos necessary for the act of poetry.

I. The first section emphasizes the importance of creating a space for poetry, both physically and mentally. Berry advocates for quietude and solitude as the foundation for poetic creation, suggesting that a poet must rely on a combination of personal attributes and external influences including affection, reading, knowledge, skill, and inspiration. Yet, he also speaks to the necessity of patience, work, and the acceptance of aging as integral to the poetic process. The idea that "patience joins time to eternity" reflects Berry's belief in the timeless nature of poetry and the need for a poet to transcend immediate concerns for deeper, more eternal truths. The caution to doubt the judgment of any readers who like your poems introduces a note of humility and self-scrutiny, underscoring the importance of critical self-awareness in the creative process.

II. In the second section, Berry expands on the poet's relationship with the environment, urging a return to the "unconditioned air" and a life lived beyond the confines of technology and screens. This passage advocates for a holistic engagement with the world in all its dimensions, suggesting that true poetry arises from a deep and unmediated connection with the natural and the real. Berry's call to "stay away from anything that obscures the place it is in" champions authenticity and presence, valuing the sacredness inherent in all places. The distinction between sacred places and desecrated places invites a reverence for the environment and a commitment to preserving its sanctity.

III. The final section delves into the act of creation itself, advising the poet to embrace the silence and to be receptive to the "little words" that emerge from it. Berry portrays these words as akin to prayers, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of poetry and its capacity to connect the individual with the divine or the universal. The directive to "make a poem that does not disturb the silence from which it came" suggests that poetry should be an extension of the stillness and depth from which it arises, rather than an imposition upon it. This perspective underscores the contemplative and respectful approach to both the craft of poetry and the world from which it draws inspiration.

"How to Be a Poet (to Remind Myself)" is both a personal reminder and a universal guide, offering a vision of poetry as a discipline that demands humility, patience, and a profound connection with the world. Wendell Berry articulates a poetics of simplicity, silence, and reverence, inviting both poets and readers to consider the deeper purposes and possibilities of the poetic act. Through its quiet wisdom and reflective tone, the poem serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate, connect, and sanctify the human experience.

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