Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mysticism and Democracy (5)" by Geoffrey Hill is a thought-provoking piece that reflects on themes of survival, faith, and the interplay of historical and spiritual realities. Hill's dense language and imagery invite a deeper exploration of the connections between the corporeal and the spiritual, as well as the persistence of certain elements through time.

"Great gifts foreclosed on; loss and waste offset by thrifty oddities of survival — dittander and black saltwort that are found / flourishing on the midland brine." Hill begins by acknowledging the foreclosure of great gifts—perhaps talents, potentials, or opportunities that have been lost or squandered. However, this loss is counterbalanced by the resilience of seemingly insignificant plants like dittander and black saltwort, which thrive in the harsh conditions of midland brine. This imagery suggests that despite significant losses, life persists in unexpected and humble forms.

"Flesh has its own spirit, confused with torpor, deeper than most rooted faiths, deeper than Passchendaele." Hill asserts that the human body possesses its own intrinsic spirit, which, though often mired in lethargy (torpor), runs deeper than most established faiths. The mention of Passchendaele, a World War I battle site synonymous with immense suffering and loss, underscores the profound depths of the human spirit and its capacity for endurance.

"Piety is less enduring though it endures much and with its own stiff diligence keeps the ground / set for humiliation." Hill contrasts the deep spirit of the flesh with piety, suggesting that while piety endures much and is diligently maintained, it is ultimately less enduring. This implies that the rigid adherence to religious practices may not withstand the test of time and suffering as robustly as the innate human spirit.

"There was a time any Methodist could have told you / Ebenezer means stone of help." Hill nostalgically recalls a time when religious knowledge was widespread and accessible—when any Methodist could explain that "Ebenezer" means "stone of help." This reference to 1 Samuel 7:12, where Samuel sets up a stone to commemorate God's assistance, underscores the fading collective memory and understanding of spiritual symbols and their meanings.

"As for the rest, / ruunt in servitium, crammed vacancy's rabble— / this also is admitted: introit turba." Hill concludes with a Latin phrase, "ruunt in servitium," which translates to "they rush into servitude," followed by "introit turba," meaning "the crowd enters." These lines suggest a decline into servitude and chaos, acknowledging that a once purposeful and structured society has given way to a throng of aimless individuals.

"Mysticism and Democracy (5)" captures Hill's reflection on the persistence and decline of spiritual and historical elements. The poem contrasts the enduring yet often overlooked aspects of survival and spirit with the more transient and rigid structures of piety and societal order. Hill's use of rich, evocative imagery and historical references invites readers to contemplate the deeper, often overlooked currents that shape human existence and collective memory.

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