Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Unknowing" by Linda Gregg is a lyrical exploration of the mystical and enigmatic aspects of existence, where the speaker finds solace and identity within the unknown. Gregg's poem is suffused with a sense of transcendence, capturing the beauty and profundity of merging with the ineffable.

The poem begins with the speaker stating, "I lie in the palm of its hand," immediately positioning herself within the embrace of something vast and unknowable. This image suggests both vulnerability and trust, indicating a surrender to the unknown. The speaker's waking is described as being "in the quiet / separate from the air that’s moving the trees outside," highlighting a distinction between internal stillness and external movement, suggesting an intimate, internal journey distinct from the world's distractions.

As the poem unfolds, the speaker describes her interactions with the unknown: walking on its path, falling asleep in its darkness, and finding silence through loud sounds. These experiences suggest that the unknown is both a physical and spiritual journey, where the familiar markers of life—movement, rest, sound—transform into gateways to deeper understanding.

The line "To say / When I was in love gives birth to something else" points to the transformative power of love and memory. Here, love is not merely an emotion but a catalyst that generates new experiences and perceptions. This idea is further emphasized when the speaker recalls riding a horse, not as a memory of desire, but as an encounter with the hovering unknown. This shift from personal desire to a universal experience underscores the poem's central theme of merging with the ineffable.

The imagery of the mountains and shadows creates a tangible sense of place where the unknown resides. The speaker describes the "shadow in the cleavage / where two mountains met" and the interplay of light and dark at the mountain's peak. These natural elements symbolize the coexistence of the known and the unknown, the visible and the invisible. The "birthplace / of the unknown" is thus a sacred space where the limits of human understanding meet the vastness of existence.

In the closing lines, the speaker reveals a profound connection with this mysterious realm. By lying down in the high grass and letting the wind blow over her body, she becomes one with the natural world, hidden and secretive. This act of immersion signifies a unity with the unknown, suggesting that true understanding comes from embracing and becoming part of the mysteries of life.

Gregg's "The Unknowing" is a poignant reflection on the beauty of surrendering to the unknown and finding oneself within it. Through vivid imagery and contemplative language, the poem captures the essence of a spiritual journey, where the speaker discovers peace and identity by embracing the enigmatic aspects of existence.

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