Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"An Expatiation on the Combining of Weathers at Thirty ....," by Hayden Carruth, is a vivid and evocative portrayal of a jazz ensemble in the throes of creation, capturing the essence of improvisation, collaboration, and the transcendent nature of music. Through rich imagery and meticulous detail, Carruth not only celebrates the individual contributions of each musician but also illustrates how their collective efforts culminate in a profound musical and spiritual experience that transcends the sum of its parts.

The poem opens with a reference to Ammons, presumably the jazz pianist Gene Ammons, whose playing sets the stage for the ensemble's journey. The description of the piano softening "like butter in his hands" immediately establishes a tone of ease, mastery, and fluid transformation, mirroring the process of musical improvisation itself.

As the piece progresses, Carruth introduces other members of the band, each contributing their unique voice to the unfolding narrative. The drummer, Catlett, likely referencing Big Sid Catlett, captures the delicate balance of rhythm with his "snip-snap touch on the snare / And a feathery brush on the cymbal," highlighting the drummer's role in both grounding and propelling the music forward.

Shapiro, the bassist, adds depth and movement, sliding between notes in a way that bridges the ensemble's harmonic foundation with its melodic aspirations. Berigan, possibly referencing the trumpeter Bunny Berigan, introduces a "limping figure" on the cornet that evolves into a soaring expression of the blues, showcasing the transformative power of musical expression.

The entrance of Bechet, likely Sidney Bechet, on the clarinet, introduces a counterpoint that both complements and challenges the established themes, further enriching the ensemble's sonic palette. The interplay between the musicians, with O'Brien on the trombone and Carruth himself entering on clarinet, exemplifies the dynamic conversation at the heart of jazz, where themes are explored, inverted, and expanded upon in a continuous cycle of creation and recreation.

Carruth masterfully captures the essence of the blues as not merely a musical form but as an existential state, a "hot flowing of the eternal, many-colored, essential plasm" that connects the musicians to something far greater than themselves. The description of the ensemble leaning "outward together, away from place, from time, / In one only person, which was the blues" speaks to the unity and transcendence achieved through their collective artistry.

"An Expatiation on the Combining of Weathers at Thirty ...." is a celebration of jazz as a form of communication that goes beyond words, a medium through which artists can explore the depths of human emotion and experience. Through his intricate portrayal of this ensemble performance, Carruth invites readers to consider music as a powerful conduit for connection, transformation, and the expression of the ineffable.

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