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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Unhistorical Events" by Bob Kaufman presents a series of imaginative vignettes that blend the mundane and the fantastical, contrasting the noted avant-garde poet Guillaume Apollinaire's experiences with the rich, uncelebrated lives of various colorful characters. The poem's title suggests a focus on events and individuals who exist outside the mainstream historical narrative, emphasizing the overlooked, the eccentric, and the marginalized. The poem begins with the refrain "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER," a phrase that repeats throughout, setting a rhythm and creating a list-like structure. This refrain establishes a juxtaposition between Apollinaire's more recognized cultural milieu and the eccentric lives described. "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER KNEW ABOUT ROCK GUT CHARLIE WHO GAVE FIFTY CENTS TO A POLICEMAN DRIVING AROUND IN A 1927 NASH" introduces the first character, Rock Gut Charlie, a figure of apparent lower socio-economic status who engages in a seemingly minor yet culturally loaded act of giving money to a policeman. The detail of the "1927 NASH" car adds a historical and specific context, grounding the scene in a particular era and social dynamic. The poem continues, "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER MET CINDER BOTTOM BLUE, FAT SAXOPHONE PLAYER WHO LAUGHED WHILE PLAYING AND HAD STEEL TEETH." This line paints a vivid portrait of Cinder Bottom Blue, a joyful and resilient character who embodies the lively, often overlooked spirit of jazz culture. His "steel teeth" add a striking visual detail, perhaps symbolizing a hardened, resilient nature. "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER HIKED IN PAPIER MÂCHÉ WOODS AND HAD A SCOUTMASTER WHO WROTE A SONG / ABOUT / IVORY SOAP AND HAD A BAPTIST FUNERAL" contrasts the artificial and the real. The "PAPIER MÂCHÉ WOODS" evoke a sense of something both constructed and ephemeral, while the Scoutmaster's song about "IVORY SOAP" suggests a mix of the mundane with creative expression. The mention of a "BAPTIST FUNERAL" adds a layer of cultural specificity, pointing to the rituals and traditions that shape community life. In "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER SAILED WITH RIFF RAFF ROLFE WHO WAS RICH IN CALIFORNIA, BUT HAD TO FLEE BECAUSE HE WAS QUEER," Kaufman touches on the themes of wealth, societal judgment, and exile. Riff Raff Rolfe's wealth contrasts with his marginalized status due to his sexuality, highlighting the societal prejudices that lead to his flight from California. The poem continues with "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER DRANK WITH LADY CHOPPY WINE, PEERLESS FEMALE DRUNK. WHO TALKED TO SHRUBS AND MADE CHILDREN SING IN THE STREETS." Lady Choppy Wine is depicted as a whimsical, perhaps tragic figure whose eccentricity—talking to shrubs and engaging children in street singing—suggests a life lived outside societal norms. Her characterization as a "peerless female drunk" adds a layer of complexity, hinting at both her uniqueness and her possible struggles. The final vignette, "APOLLINAIRE / NEVER SLEPT ALL NIGHT IN AN ICEHOUSE, WAITING FOR SEBASTIAN TO RISE FROM THE / AMMONIA TANKS / AND SHOW HIM THE LITTLE UNPAINTED ARROWS," ends on a surreal note. The icehouse and the reference to ammonia tanks create a cold, industrial setting. The anticipation of "SEBASTIAN" rising and revealing "little unpainted arrows" suggests a mysterious or esoteric ritual, perhaps alluding to a quest for meaning or guidance in an unlikely place. Throughout "Unhistorical Events," Kaufman contrasts the canonical status of Apollinaire with the anonymous, everyday experiences of various individuals. By highlighting these "unhistorical" events and figures, the poem celebrates the richness and diversity of human experience, suggesting that significant, meaningful lives exist beyond the scope of traditional history. The repetition of "NEVER" emphasizes the gap between recognized cultural history and the myriad unrecorded, yet equally valuable, experiences that comprise the human condition. This poem is an exploration of the overlooked corners of society, valuing the unique stories and moments that contribute to the broader tapestry of life.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MAN AND WOMAN ABSOLUTELY WHITE by ANDRE BRETON ON THE ROAD TO SAN ROMANO by ANDRE BRETON YOU TAKE THE FIRST STREET TO THE RIGHT by ROBERT DESNOS ARBITRARY FATE by ROBERT DESNOS BUT I WAS NOT UNDERSTOOD by ROBERT DESNOS DOOR TO THE SECOND INFINITY by ROBERT DESNOS |
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