Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s poem "27,000 Miles" is a contemplative exploration of the themes of transformation, aspiration, and the inherent beauty of both grand and humble existences. Through its intricate imagery and reflections on nature, the poem captures the dualities of flight and rest, ambition and contentment, and the intricate processes of life.

The poem begins with a tender observation: "These two asleep . . . so indrawn and compact, / like lavish origami animals returned / to slips of paper once again." This metaphor of origami animals folding back into paper evokes a sense of simplicity and potential. The act of folding and unfolding represents the cycles of transformation and rest, mirroring the natural processes of life.

Goldbarth deepens this imagery by further deconstructing the paper: "and then / the paper once again become a string / of pith, a secret that the plant hums to itself." Here, the paper's origins are traced back to its botanical beginnings, emphasizing a return to a fundamental, almost primal state. This connection to nature underscores the idea that all complex forms ultimately derive from simple, elemental beginnings.

The poem shifts to a reflection on human aspirations: "You see? — so often we envy the grandiose, the way / those small toy things of Leonardo’s want to be / the great, air-conquering and miles-eating / living wings / they’re modeled on." This passage reflects on Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, which, though small and toy-like, aspire to emulate the grandeur of bird flight. It highlights the human tendency to aspire towards greatness and the grandeur of nature, admiring the strength and freedom embodied in the flight of birds.

Goldbarth marvels at the bird flight, describing it as "amazing: simultaneously strength, / escape, caprice." This characterization captures the multifaceted nature of flight — it is not merely a physical feat but also an expression of freedom and unpredictability. The Arctic tern’s incredible migration of nearly 27,000 miles each year exemplifies this awe-inspiring journey, a testament to the endurance and capability of these creatures.

The poem contrasts this grand spectacle with the everyday reality of the birds: "But it isn’t all flight; they also / fold; and at night on the water or in the eaves / they package their bodies / into their bodies, smaller, and deeply / smaller yet." This imagery of birds folding themselves into rest emphasizes the dual nature of their existence. Just as they soar across vast distances, they also find moments of stillness and compactness, mirroring the earlier origami metaphor.

Goldbarth concludes with the idea that migration involves both external and internal journeys: "migrating a similar distance / in the opposite direction." This final line suggests that while birds travel great physical distances, there is also an inward journey, a contraction and introspection that balances their expansive flights.

"27,000 Miles" by Albert Goldbarth beautifully juxtaposes the grandeur of flight with the intimacy of rest, reflecting on the cyclical nature of transformation and the dualities inherent in existence. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful reflections, the poem invites readers to appreciate both the spectacular and the subtle, recognizing the profound beauty in both the expansive and the compact aspects of life. Goldbarth’s work encourages a deeper understanding of the natural world and our place within it, celebrating the intricate processes that define and sustain life.

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