Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Steering Wheel" by Jorie Graham is a nuanced and reflective poem that delves into the complexities of perception, memory, and the boundaries between the self and the external world. The poem's imagery and contemplative tone invite readers to consider how fleeting moments and sensory experiences contribute to our understanding of reality.

The poem begins with the speaker observing a scene through the rear-view mirror: "In the rear-view mirror I saw the veil of leaves / suctioned up by a change in current / and how they stayed up, for the allotted time, / in absolute fidelity to the force behind." This image of leaves being lifted by a current highlights the theme of transience and the influence of unseen forces. The "allotted time" suggests a temporary suspension, a moment held in balance before inevitably changing.

Graham's description of the leaves continues with an interjection of "ADVERTISING," which stands out starkly in the text. This sudden shift can be interpreted as a commentary on the pervasive presence of advertising in our lives, interrupting and altering our perceptions. The leaves, "magenta, hovering, a thing that happens," symbolize the natural world's intersection with human constructs and commercialism.

The scene unfolds with the speaker preparing to back out of a driveway: "slowly upswirling above the driveway / I was preparing to back clear out of -- - / and three young pine trees at the end of that view / as if aghast with bristling stillness." The trees' "bristling stillness" conveys a sense of shock or disturbance, mirroring the speaker's own introspective state. The juxtaposition of movement and stillness creates a tension that underscores the poem's meditative quality.

As the speaker continues to reverse, the poem shifts to a more sensory description: "and the soft red updraft without hesitation / aswirl in their prickly enclosing midst -- - / and on the radio I bent to press on, / a section with rising strings plugging in, / crisp with distinctions, of the earlier order." The "soft red updraft" evokes a visual and tactile sensation, while the radio's music adds an auditory layer. The "rising strings" suggest an ascent, both musically and metaphorically, as the speaker navigates through memory and perception.

The speaker then acknowledges a feeling of inadequacy: "Oh but I haven't gotten it right. / You couldn't say that it was matter. / I couldn't say that it was sadness." This admission reflects the difficulty of articulating complex emotions and experiences. The ambiguity of the situation—whether it is "matter" or "sadness"—highlights the elusive nature of understanding and the limitations of language.

The poem introduces a new image: "Then a hat from someone down the block / blown off, rolling -- -tossing -- -across the empty / macadam, / an open mouth, with no face round it, / O and O and O and O -- -" The hat, personified as an "open mouth," symbolizes a voiceless, aimless movement, reinforcing the theme of transience and the disconnection between objects and their intended contexts.

The final lines of the poem provide a philosophical reflection: "we have to regain the moral pleasure / of experiencing the distance between subject / and object," / -- -me now slowly backing up." This statement underscores the importance of recognizing the distinction between the self (subject) and the external world (object). The act of "backing up" becomes a metaphor for gaining perspective and appreciating this separation, which is crucial for understanding and experiencing the world fully.

In "Steering Wheel," Jorie Graham masterfully weaves together imagery, introspection, and philosophical musings to create a poem that explores the delicate balance between perception and reality. The poem's rich descriptions and contemplative tone invite readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of experience and the importance of maintaining a sense of distance to truly appreciate the world around us. Through the lens of everyday moments, Graham illuminates the profound complexities of human consciousness and the continuous interplay between the internal and external realms.

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