Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Of Constancy and Measure" by Geoffrey Hill, dedicated to Ivor Gurney, is a contemplative reflection on the persistence of certain values and experiences amidst the chaos of life. The poem juxtaposes the destructive forces with moments of stability and continuity, using vivid imagery to explore themes of loss, memory, and the enduring nature of certain truths.

"One sees again how it goes: rubble ploughed in and salted / the bloods / haphazard fatalities" Hill opens with a bleak vision of destruction and decay. The "rubble ploughed in and salted" evokes a landscape of ruin, reminiscent of ancient practices of salting the earth to prevent regrowth. This image is compounded by the mention of "bloods / haphazard fatalities," suggesting the indiscriminate loss of life and the randomness of death, possibly referencing the devastation of war, a theme closely associated with Gurney, a poet and soldier of World War I.

"our scattering selves allowed their glimpse of restitution -" Amidst this chaos, there is a fleeting glimpse of "restitution," or a return to a state of order and balance. The "scattering selves" suggests the fragmentation of identity and existence, yet even in this disarray, there is a momentary vision of repair and recovery.

"the orchards / of Sarras or Severn bare plenitude first and last -" Hill then shifts to a more pastoral and serene imagery with the mention of "orchards / of Sarras or Severn." These locations evoke a sense of idyllic beauty and abundance. Sarras, a mythical land in Arthurian legend, symbolizes a place of spiritual fulfillment, while the Severn, a major river in England, grounds this in a more tangible reality. The "bare plenitude" suggests a paradox of abundance found in simplicity or emptiness, hinting at the idea of finding richness in what seems bare or desolate.

"as if constancy were in time given its own for keeping / as such gifts belong / to the unfailing burden of the planet" Here, Hill meditates on the concept of constancy—enduring and unchanging nature over time. This constancy is described as a gift, a stable presence amidst the flux of existence. It is an "unfailing burden of the planet," indicating that the Earth's ability to endure and sustain life is both a gift and a heavy responsibility.

"with so much else believed to be fire and air" Hill concludes with a nod to the classical elements of fire and air, often associated with change and movement. By contrasting these with the idea of constancy and measure, he underscores the tension between the ephemeral and the enduring, suggesting that while much of life is transient and volatile, there are elements of constancy that provide a measure of stability.

The dedication to Ivor Gurney, who endured the horrors of war and found solace in poetry and music, adds a layer of poignancy to the poem. Gurney's life and work embody the themes of endurance and the search for beauty amidst chaos, mirroring Hill's exploration of constancy amidst the tumultuous forces of existence. The poem is a meditation on the resilience of certain values and truths, even as life scatters and destabilizes.

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