Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Deplaning, & Getting Learnt" by Edward Dorn offers a satirical and somewhat cynical view of modern travel, commercialism, and human interactions, set against the backdrop of arriving in Houston. The poem starts with a quote about discord overcoming harmony, setting a tone that challenges the notion of peaceful coexistence in a capitalist-driven society.

The opening lines immediately immerse the reader in a scene of arrival, with "Shaving lotion fresh we nonstop into Houston," capturing the sensory experiences and the brisk pace of air travel. The mention of shaving lotion adds a mundane, almost intimate detail that contrasts sharply with the broader, impersonal aspects of flying and arriving in a new city.

Dorn then introduces "Hughestown, the tool company, the Cobra Bit," which likely refers to the oil drilling industry, tying Houston's identity to its economic foundations in oil and energy. The "bit that bites the Springhill Formation, Sugar Sand to the trade wherein lie the cretaceous corpses back of traffic jams" is particularly loaded with imagery and metaphor. This line not only references geological formations and the extraction of resources but also subtly criticizes the environmental and social impacts of such industries, likening them to ancient, buried dead ("cretaceous corpses") that now underpin modern inconveniences like traffic jams.

The narrative shifts to a more personal anecdote about "Dobro," who seems to be a traveler or musician (Dobro also refers to a brand of resonator guitar, which adds a layer of meaning) who lost his instruments during transit. This loss, while personal and probably significant to Dobro, is met with schadenfreude by the onlookers at the airport. Dorn captures this reaction in the phrase "A lot of bystanders, craning their necks, had 'Serves Him Right' in their dodgy eyes," illustrating a lack of empathy and a quickness to judge that he sees as pervasive in this environment.

The description of Houston International as "the most thieve-ridden airport in the universe" adds a hyperbolic critique of the place, emphasizing issues of security and perhaps moral decay within such bustling hubs. This statement might reflect the speaker’s disillusionment with the commercial and materialistic aspects of American culture, especially within contexts like airports where anonymity and transience are commonplace.

Overall, "Deplaning, & Getting Learnt" by Edward Dorn uses the act of arriving in a city known for its oil industry to comment on broader themes of environmental exploitation, economic priorities, and human indifference. The poem’s title itself, "Getting Learnt," suggests a sarcastic take on the learning process—what one learns about human nature and societal values through such experiences. Dorn’s use of vivid imagery, coupled with his critique of societal norms and behaviors, provides a stark observation of the complexities and contradictions of contemporary life.

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