Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Galvin's "The War That Isn't What You Think" is a contemplative poem that delves into themes of disappointment, humanity's failings, and the natural world's response to human actions. Through vivid imagery and philosophical reflections, Galvin explores the gap between expectation and reality, and the subtle, often unacknowledged forces that shape our experiences.

The poem begins with a keen observation of nature: "The little wind I saw curving and lifting / The black mare's mane / Never came this way." This imagery sets a scene of stillness and anticipation, with the speaker waiting for a wind that does not arrive. The speaker's face, "tilted: / To wind as heliotropic is to sun," suggests a yearning for a transformative or enlightening experience, much like a sunflower turns towards the sun for sustenance.

Galvin introduces the idea of sustaining disappointment: "We have to keep our disappointment alive. / We have to sustain our appal, act surprised / That humanity has (again today!) / Failed to evolve away from meanness." These lines reflect a resigned acknowledgment of human nature's persistent flaws and the cyclical nature of our collective failings. The need to "sustain our appal" indicates an ongoing struggle to remain vigilant and hopeful in the face of recurring disillusionment.

The phrase "Invisible earth, / I still can't feel any wind" captures a sense of disconnect and absence, underscoring the speaker's unmet expectations. The cottonwood leaves' sudden movement, "Like small birds in a flight of small birds, turning, / Like one thing instead of many," conveys a moment of unity and collective response in nature, contrasting with the fragmented and disjointed human world.

The poem then addresses the wind directly: "O wind, immaculate, that lifts the mane, / Immaculate, that turns the silver leaves, / That bears away the smoke of sacrifice." The repetition of "immaculate" emphasizes the purity and transformative power of the wind, which affects nature in ways that are both visible and profound. The wind becomes a symbol of cleansing and renewal, capable of bearing away the remnants of human actions ("the smoke of sacrifice").

In the concluding lines, the wind's failure to bring "sage-sweet horsesmell" or the "softness of muzzle of the / Mare" to the speaker highlights the gap between memory or idealized experiences and the present reality. The black mare, with her mane "curving and lifting," grazing "the horizon down to nothing," symbolizes a distant and perhaps unattainable ideal. The horizon being grazed "down to nothing" suggests an endless pursuit of something perpetually out of reach, echoing the theme of persistent disappointment and longing.

In summary, "The War That Isn't What You Think" by James Galvin is a reflective poem that juxtaposes the natural world's subtle, interconnected responses with humanity's persistent failings. Through rich imagery and contemplative language, Galvin explores themes of expectation, disappointment, and the search for meaning. The poem invites readers to consider the ways in which we engage with the world around us and the ongoing struggle to find hope and connection amidst our imperfections.

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