Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ghosts on the Northern Land of Ur; Circa 2100 C.E." by Norman Dubie is an expansive, deeply evocative poem that paints a dystopian vision of the future marked by environmental degradation, societal collapse, and a profound sense of spiritual and physical displacement. The poem, dense with imagery and blending elements of both apocalyptic and spiritual motifs, explores the human condition in a world unmoored from its historical continuity.

The poem opens with a grim tableau—a makeshift fire composed of minimal resources: "a very few branches, hunk of yak fat / and a whole brick of dung." The setting is stark and survivalist, emphasizing the harshness of the environment. Dubie uses this backdrop to delve into the deep existential concerns of his characters, who are navigating a landscape that is both literally and metaphorically cold and barren.

The mention of "red coral lake deep in the wasteland surrounded by orange fields of borax" and "rusted machines" strewn across "sad alkali shades" paints a vivid picture of ecological devastation. This setting is not just a physical space but also a reflection of the poem's thematic exploration of decay and the remnants of a civilization in decline.

The narrative voice shifts between scenes and speakers, creating a tapestry of perspectives that underscore the collective trauma of the depicted society. One poignant vignette involves a woman giving birth alone in the wilderness, symbolizing both resilience and the dire isolation of the individual in this dystopian setting. The reference to President Grant drinking bourbon from his boot while the Sioux cough in their blankets evokes historical injustices and the repetition of such injustices in new forms in the poem's future setting.

Dubie intersperses the harsh realities of his dystopian vision with surreal and mystic elements, such as airships described as "blue farts on the horizon" and the vivid scene of oxen stampeding off a cliff into icy waters below. These elements serve to heighten the sense of a world where the boundaries between the real and the unreal, the natural and the supernatural, have blurred.

The central motif of the poem—the "astonishing figure of Chenrezig," the bodhisattva of compassion, formed from the snow-covered corpses of oxen—captures the intersection of suffering and transcendence. This image serves as a powerful symbol of hope and spiritual resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Throughout, Dubie masterfully uses language to weave a complex narrative that is both a lamentation and a profound inquiry into the spiritual and ethical implications of human actions in the face of environmental and societal collapse. The poem closes on a haunting note with the smoke from incense, suggesting a return to ritual and the seeking of solace in ancient practices as a way to cope with the ongoing catastrophes.

Overall, "Ghosts on the Northern Land of Ur; Circa 2100 C.E." is a layered, richly textured poem that challenges the reader to contemplate the future trajectory of humanity—spiritually, environmentally, and socially—in a world teetering on the edge of existential despair. Dubie's use of dystopian imagery alongside spiritual symbolism creates a profound reflection on survival, loss, and the possibility of redemption.

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