Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "The Printer" is a beautifully crafted meditation on the art and craft of printing, interweaving the technical and physical aspects of the printer's work with the broader themes of creation, language, and the passage of time. Through the imagery of typefaces, the smell of ink, and the meticulous care taken in the printing process, Pastan explores the deep connection between the printer's work and the human experience of communication, tradition, and legacy.

The poem begins with a list of typefaces—"Baskerville, Perpetua, Garamond"—which the speaker initially mistakes for the names of dances. This misinterpretation suggests a playful, almost romantic view of the printer's craft, as if the setting of type on a page could be likened to a dance, a graceful and rhythmic movement. The typefaces, however, are not dances but the "minuet" of letters moving across the page, with the printer, "in your apron bowing," playing the role of a dedicated artisan. The printer is described as a "journeyman to the letter, apprentice to the word," highlighting the expertise and lifelong learning involved in mastering the art of printing. This reverence for the craft suggests that printing is not just a mechanical process but a deeply meaningful and creative act.

The poem then shifts to the sensory experience of printing, particularly the "smell of ink, like the smell of bread," which "signifies morning." This comparison to the smell of freshly baked bread evokes a sense of warmth, nourishment, and the beginning of a new day, linking the act of printing to the sustenance of the human spirit. The "bleeding of color / at the horizon" suggests the dawning of ideas, with the horizon itself described as "a line of boldface too distant to read." This metaphor captures the idea that while the printed word can bring clarity and understanding, there are always limits to what can be known or comprehended—the horizon of knowledge is always just out of reach.

Pastan then reflects on the ubiquity of letters in the world, comparing them to "leaves, as birds, as flecks of ash." This imagery conveys the idea that language is as natural and pervasive as the elements of the natural world, with "whole armies of alphabets" marching across various surfaces, whether "margins of pavement" or "margins of snow." The use of the word "armies" suggests the power and influence of language, as well as its ability to leave a lasting impression on the world.

The poem introduces a personal element with the image of a "smudge on your forehead where your hand strayed," a mark left by the printer's work. This smudge, created while making "architectural gestures," symbolizes the intimate connection between the printer and the printed word. The mention of "the Pleasure of our Company is requested," and "the ceremonial announcement of birth or death" alludes to the formal, significant occasions for which printed materials are often created, highlighting the role of the printer in marking life's important moments.

The comparison of the printer's press to a "wine press" emphasizes the idea that the act of printing is a fruitful, almost sacred process, producing something valuable and enduring. The sound of the press, "like surf," and the "reams of paper spreading their deckle-edged foam" further reinforce the connection between the natural world and the craft of printing, suggesting that the printed word flows and spreads like the ocean, shaping and reshaping the landscape of human thought.

In the final stanza, the poem reflects on the end of the day, as the printer "distribute[s] the type as carefully / as if you were placing your daughters in their beds." This tender image underscores the care and precision involved in the printer's work, likening it to the nurturing of children. As "dark enters, a time before language," the poem acknowledges the primordial state of existence before words, yet it also affirms the enduring presence of language in the form of "white indelible stars" printed in the sky. The "thumbprint of moon," described as "God's own signature," connects the act of printing with the divine, suggesting that the creation of the printed word is a reflection of the larger act of creation itself.

"The Printer" is a rich and evocative poem that celebrates the craft of printing as an essential part of human culture and history. Through its detailed imagery and reverence for the printed word, Pastan highlights the connection between the physical labor of printing and the broader themes of language, communication, and the passage of time. The poem invites readers to consider the significance of the written word in their own lives and the enduring legacy of those who bring it to life.

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