Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem begins with the act of writing, a simple yet profound entry point into the exploration of language's power. The "green pen" is not just a tool but a symbol of life and vitality, suggesting that the act of writing is akin to planting seeds that will grow, flourish, and bear fruit. The imagery of something entering the poet's chest and causing "the stars begin to revolve" signifies the inspiration and transformation that writing can instigate, both within the writer and in the cosmos. This connection between the micro (the act of writing) and the macro (the movement of the stars) underscores the poem's theme of interconnectedness.

Bly's reference to "alligator claws from under the ocean" and experiences "in the sunlit shelves of the Dordogne" to "the skeletons of Papua" encapsulates the vastness of human experience that language can convey and preserve. The poem suggests that through words, the entirety of human history, from our most primal instincts to our most sublime moments, is kept alive and made accessible. Language becomes a repository for collective memory, a way to traverse time and space, connecting us to our ancestors and to the myriad ways they have understood and interacted with the world.

The phrase "welling up of watery syllables" beautifully conveys the idea of language as something organic and fluid, capable of expressing the deepest emotions and nuances of human experience. Bly acknowledges the darker aspects of life—the "anger barking in the cave," the "growls from under fur"—as integral parts of the human story that language captures and communicates. His assertion that "none of it is lost" speaks to the resilience of memory and the capacity of words to hold and transmit the full spectrum of human life, ensuring that no experience is forgotten.

Bly extends the metaphor of language by comparing humans to bees, with language being the honey. This analogy highlights the sweetness and nourishment that language provides, as well as the collective effort involved in its creation. The notion of honey lying "in caves beneath us" suggests that the essence of language is ancient and primal, a treasure waiting to be unearthed and savored. Words, in Bly's view, carry energies and secrets that transcend individual human lives, connecting us to universal truths and experiences.

The poem culminates in blessings for those who labor in the realm of language—poets, dictionary makers, song setters—recognizing the sacredness of their work. Bly's reverence for the act of creation, whether it be separating the "black seeds of loneliness from the brown seeds of solitude" or composing a poem on lambs, elevates the work of artists and writers to a form of spiritual practice. The imagery of the afternoon light slanting in and the sleeper in the violin case evokes a sense of peace and fulfillment that comes from engaging deeply with language and art.

"Words Rising" is a tribute to the enduring power of language to capture, convey, and connect human experiences across time and space. Robert Bly's masterful use of imagery and metaphor invites readers to consider the profound impact of words on our understanding of ourselves, our history, and our place in the natural world. Through language, we access the depths of human emotion, the whispers of the past, and the potential for transcendence, making the act of writing and reading a sacred communion with the essence of life itself.

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