Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "Citation for Horace Gregory" is a tribute to the poet and his craft, celebrating the enduring impact of poets and their ability to shape consciousness and culture. Through evocative imagery and thoughtful reflection, Rukeyser honors the contributions of poets, both past and present, highlighting their courage and dedication to beauty and truth.

The poem opens by recognizing the bravery of poets: "These are our brave, these with their hands in on the work, / hammering out beauty upon the painful stone." This line sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the labor and effort involved in the poetic process. The act of "hammering out beauty" on "painful stone" suggests that creating art involves struggle and endurance, yet results in something profoundly valuable.

Rukeyser continues by depicting the poets as individuals who passionately seek truth: "turning their grave heads passionately finding / truth and alone and each day subtly slain / and each day born." This cycle of being "subtly slain" and "each day born" captures the ongoing process of self-discovery and renewal inherent in the poet's life. The metaphor of being slain and reborn daily underscores the intense emotional and intellectual engagement that poetry demands.

The poem then broadens its scope to a cosmic perspective: "Revolves / a measured system, world upon world, stemmed fires / and regulated galaxies behind the flattened head, / behind the immortal skull, ticking eternity / in blood and the symbols of living." Here, Rukeyser situates the poet within the larger context of the universe, suggesting that their work is connected to the fundamental rhythms and patterns of existence. The imagery of "regulated galaxies" and "ticking eternity" conveys a sense of timelessness and the profound significance of the poet's contributions.

Rukeyser brings the focus back to the tangible world with the brass voice in the street calling, "STRIKE STRIKE," and the "nervous fingers continue elaborately / drawing consciousness, examining, doing." This juxtaposition of the urgent call to action with the meticulous work of the poet highlights the dual nature of their role—engaging with the immediate, pressing issues of the world while also delving deeply into the introspective and reflective aspects of human experience.

The poem then shifts to a satirical critique of popular culture: "Rise to a billboard world of Chesterfields, / Mae West hip-wriggles, Tarzan prowess, the little / nibbling and despicable minds." Rukeyser contrasts the shallow, commercialized aspects of society with the profound and lasting contributions of poets, positioning the latter as a counterbalance to the superficiality of mass entertainment.

In celebrating the poets, Rukeyser presents a gallery of notable figures: "Jeffers, / a long and tragic drum-roll beating anger, / sick of a catapulting nightmare world, / Eliot, who led us to the precipice / subtly and perfectly." Each poet is characterized by their unique voice and contributions, from Jeffers' tragic intensity to Eliot's subtle guidance to the brink of existential reflection.

The poem concludes by addressing young poets directly: "Young poets and makers, solve your anguish, see / the brave unmedalled, who dares to shape his mind, / printed with dignity, to the machines of change." Rukeyser encourages emerging poets to confront their own struggles and to find dignity in their work, contributing to the ongoing evolution of culture and thought.

Rukeyser's final lines reinforce the idea of the poet's enduring legacy: "these braveries are permanent. These gifts / flare on our lives, clarifying, revealed." The poem asserts that the courage and creativity of poets leave a lasting impact, illuminating and clarifying the human experience for future generations.

"Citation for Horace Gregory" is both a tribute to an individual poet and a broader celebration of the poetic vocation. Through rich imagery and a reverent tone, Rukeyser highlights the profound significance of poets and their work, honoring their contributions to beauty, truth, and the collective consciousness.

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