Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Appendix to the Anniad: 2" by Gwendolyn Brooks, like its preceding appendix, serves as a contemplative extension to the broader themes explored in "The Anniad." This poem delves into the yearnings and existential musings of youth, juxtaposing them against the backdrop of an anticipated, yet distant, spiritual reunion. Brooks here contrasts the immediate desires and impulses of the young with the abstract, far-off certainty of a divine meeting, highlighting the tension between the temporal and the eternal, the corporeal and the spiritual.

The poem opens with a declaration of a certain future reunion "by God / In a wide Parlor, underneath a Light / Of lights, come Sometime," which is immediately dismissed as providing no comfort in the present ("is no ointment now"). This opening sets up a dichotomy between the spiritual assurance of an afterlife or a heavenly meeting and the immediate, visceral experiences that define youth. The "wide Parlor" under the "Light / Of lights" evokes an image of a heavenly or divine space, suggesting an ultimate gathering or judgment in the presence of God. However, this spiritual certainty does not satisfy the immediate desires and concerns of the living, particularly the young, who are deeply immersed in the experiences of the here and now.

Brooks skillfully captures the essence of youth through vivid imagery and kinetic language: "Being young, being masters of the long-legged stride, / Gypsy arm-swing." These lines celebrate the vitality, freedom, and unrestrained movement that characterize youth. The reference to not having learned "To find white in the Bible" suggests a lack of interest in purity or salvation as prescribed by religious doctrine, favoring instead the tangible and immediate pleasures of life.

The poem then shifts to express a longing for "nights / Of vague adventure, lips lax wet and warm, / Bees in the stomach, sweat across the brow." This craving for adventure and sensual experience encapsulates the impulsive, passionate nature of youth, seeking excitement and physicality over the spiritual or the transcendent. The imagery here is intensely physical, with an emphasis on sensation and emotion that underscores the immediacy of their desires.

The use of "Now." as the concluding word of the poem is striking in its simplicity and finality. It serves as a demand, a declaration, and a grounding in the present moment, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the here and now over distant promises or spiritual assurances. This single word encapsulates the poem's essence: a passionate affirmation of life's immediate experiences and pleasures over the uncertain and abstract.

"Appendix to the Anniad: 2" by Gwendolyn Brooks offers a poignant reflection on youth, desire, and the tension between earthly experiences and spiritual expectations. Through its vivid imagery and contemplative tone, the poem navigates the complexities of living fully in the present while being aware of an ultimate spiritual destiny. Brooks's exploration of these themes enriches the narrative landscape of "The Anniad," adding depth and nuance to the collection's exploration of human experiences, desires, and destinies.

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