Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"To the Unseeable Animal" by Wendell Berry is a contemplative poem that explores themes of mystery, the unseen forces of nature, and the human longing for connection with the wild and unknown. Through the voice of the speaker and the innocent wish of his daughter, Berry invites readers to consider the existence of an unseeable being that embodies the essence of the natural world, untouched and unspoiled by human observation.

The poem begins with a child's hope for an animal that remains undiscovered and unseen by humans, suggesting a desire for there to be aspects of the natural world that remain beyond human reach and understanding. This wish reflects a deep respect for the mystery of nature and a recognition of the value of preserving some parts of the world from human intrusion.

Berry personifies this unseeable animal as a "Being" that dissolves at the glance of humans, suggesting its ethereal, elusive nature. This being is portrayed as a "knower of the secret sums and measures," indicating its intrinsic connection to the natural order and its understanding of the universe's hidden workings. The animal's presence is felt in the ancient sycamores and faithful springs, places of natural beauty and tranquility where the wild remains undisturbed.

The speaker's encounters with places in the natural world where he senses the presence of this unseeable being evoke a sense of reverence and awe. The description of pools in streams overgrown with shadow and the behavior of the little fish suggest that the essence of this being permeates the natural world, offering fleeting glimpses of its presence without ever revealing itself fully.

Berry's use of the imagery of the speaker waking in the woods feeling the gaze of the unseeable animal pass over him during sleep further deepens the sense of connection between humans and the unseen aspects of nature. This moment captures the longing to be acknowledged by the wild, to be part of the natural world's mysterious and unspoken language.

The poem concludes with the acknowledgment that not knowing this unseeable being is what makes it perfect and gives humans hope. The darkness, both literal and metaphorical, serves as a boundary that keeps humans close to this unseeable entity, preserving its mystery and allowing us to dwell in the possibility of its existence. This darkness is not something to be feared but embraced as a space where the human and the wild can coexist in respectful distance.

"To the Unseeable Animal" is a lyrical meditation on the beauty of the unknown and the unexplored in nature. Wendell Berry crafts a narrative that honors the wild's sanctity and the importance of preserving its mysteries. Through this poem, Berry expresses a deep ecological awareness and a call to recognize our place within the natural world—not as conquerors or observers but as humble participants in its wonder and complexity.

POEM TEXT: https://freds-ramblings.blogspot.com/2016/06/wendell-berry-to-unseeable-animal.html

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