Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"O Cheese" by Donald Hall is an imaginative and delightful ode to the variety, character, and essence of cheeses. Through personification and vivid imagery, Hall explores the rich world of cheeses, attributing to them human-like qualities and behaviors that make each variety unique and evocative.

The poem begins by setting the scene in a pantry filled with "dear dense cheeses," immediately drawing the reader into a world where cheeses are not mere food items but cherished beings with distinct personalities. The mention of "Cheddars and harsh Lancashires; Gorgonzola with its magnanimous manner; the clipped speech of Roquefort; and a head of Stilton that speaks in a sensuous riddling tongue like Druids" brings these cheeses to life, each described in a way that hints at their flavors and textures while also suggesting deeper, almost mystical qualities.

Hall's use of language is both playful and reverent. The cheeses are described with a mix of affection and respect, highlighting their "gravity," "wistfulness," and the existential awareness that "they weep continually because they know they will die." This anthropomorphism elevates the cheeses to symbols of human experience, encapsulating joy, sorrow, victory, and defeat within their creamy forms.

The poem continues to elaborate on the diverse personalities of different cheeses. Liederkranz is "ebullient, jumping like a small dog, noisy," while Pont l’Évêque is "intellectual, and quite well informed." Emmentaler is "decent and loyal, a little deaf in the right ear," and Brie offers a "revealing experience, instantaneous and profound." These descriptions not only capture the essence of the cheeses but also suggest the richness and variety of human characteristics and experiences.

Hall's ode is filled with whimsical moments, such as cheeses that "dance in the moonlight" and "mingle with sausages," as well as more introspective observations, like the cheeses that are "shy, that linger in the doorway, eyes looking down." The juxtaposition of these light-hearted and serious tones reflects the complexity and depth of the cheeses, paralleling the complexities of human life.

The poem also explores the sensual and intimate aspects of cheeses. Reblochon is described as "openly sexual," while Caprice des Dieux is "eloquent, tactful, like a thousand-year-old hostess." These descriptions infuse the poem with a sense of luxury and indulgence, celebrating the pleasure and sophistication that cheeses bring to the table.

The concluding lines of the poem, "O village of cheeses, I make you this poem of cheeses, / O family of cheeses, living together in pantries, / O cheeses that keep to your own nature, like a lucky couple, / this solitude, this energy, these bodies slowly dying," bring the various elements together. The cheeses are envisioned as a close-knit community, each maintaining its unique identity while contributing to the collective. The reference to "bodies slowly dying" serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life, both human and cheese, underscoring the poem's deeper meditation on existence.

In "O Cheese," Donald Hall masterfully combines humor, reverence, and existential reflection to create a rich tapestry that celebrates the diversity and depth of cheeses. Through his vivid and imaginative descriptions, Hall invites readers to appreciate not only the culinary delights of cheese but also the ways in which these everyday objects can mirror and illuminate the human condition. The poem stands as a testament to Hall's ability to find profound meaning in the ordinary, transforming a simple pantry into a microcosm of life's joys, sorrows, and complexities.

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