Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Galvin's "What I've Believed In" is a reflective poem that weaves together themes of time, resilience, and the enduring presence of the past within the present. Through the vivid depiction of an old Packard car repurposed as a sawmill engine, Galvin explores the intersection of history, memory, and the passage of time.

The poem opens with a striking image: "Propped on blocks, the front half of a Packard car rides the hillside like a / chip of wood on the crest of a wave." This simile immediately conveys a sense of precariousness and timelessness, setting the stage for the poem's exploration of endurance. The Packard car, an emblem of a bygone era, is now part of a sawmill, symbolizing transformation and adaptation.

Galvin continues to describe the Packard's current state: "That Packard / engine runs it, or did. The rest, the belt, the Belsaw carriage and blade, / stands aside in disrepair." This juxtaposition of functionality and disrepair highlights the tension between past vitality and present decay. The imagery of pine seeds stashed in the tailpipe by gophers adds a touch of natural continuity, suggesting that life persists even in unexpected places.

The car's rusted hood and chrome priming cocks evoke a sense of aged beauty and mechanical intricacy: "The gull-wing hood is rusted / cinnamon, latched over chrome priming cocks, one for each cylinder." These details emphasize the craftsmanship and durability of the Packard, while also highlighting the passage of time marked by rust and wear.

Galvin reflects on the historical significance of the Packard: "Every board / in every building here was milled on power from that old car, out of timber cut / here too. Even shingles." This line underscores the car's integral role in shaping the built environment around it, linking the machinery to the physical structures it helped create. The connection between the car and the buildings serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of history and memory.

The poem poignantly captures the car's long-standing presence: "It's been here since 1925, winters piling onto its / forehead like a mother's hands. It's weathered them like a son." This personification of the car, enduring the harsh winters like a child comforted by a mother's touch, imbues it with a sense of familial warmth and resilience. The comparison suggests that the car has been both a witness to and a participant in the passage of time.

In the final lines, Galvin challenges the notion of obsolescence: "Just because / it hasn't been run since 1956 is no reason to think it won't run now: waves / have traveled thousands of miles to give us small gifts; pine seeds have waited / years to be asked." This statement reflects a belief in potential and renewal, emphasizing that time and disuse do not necessarily negate value or functionality. The metaphor of waves and pine seeds waiting for their moment highlights the latent potential that exists even in seemingly forgotten or neglected objects.

In summary, "What I've Believed In" by James Galvin is a contemplative poem that explores themes of time, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the past. Through the evocative imagery of an old Packard car repurposed as a sawmill engine, Galvin reflects on the interconnectedness of history, memory, and the present moment. The poem invites readers to consider the hidden potentials and enduring values that persist even in objects that seem to have outlived their original purposes, suggesting a deeper continuity between past and present.

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