Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s poem "Waking This Morning" is an evocative and introspective exploration of waking to a new day, embodying both the personal and the universal. The poem intertwines themes of memory, desire, and the struggle for peace in a world marked by violence and greed. Through rich imagery and a contemplative tone, Rukeyser invites the reader to consider the possibilities of connection, creativity, and non-violence.

The poem opens with the speaker awakening: "Waking this morning, / a violent woman in the violent day / Laughing." This introduction juxtaposes the violence of the woman and the day with an unexpected reaction—laughter. This laughter could be interpreted as a form of resistance or a way to cope with the day's inherent challenges. The speaker reflects on the passage of time, traversing the entirety of life: "Past the line of memory / along the long body of your life." This line suggests a journey through personal history, encompassing "childhood, youth, your lifetime of touch, / eyes, lips, chest, belly, sex, legs, to the waves of the sheet." Rukeyser emphasizes the physical and sensory experiences that define a lifetime.

The speaker’s gaze then shifts outward: "I look past the little plant / on the city windowsill / to the tall towers bookshaped, crushed together in greed." This shift from the intimate to the external world highlights the contrast between the simplicity and growth represented by the plant and the oppressive, greedy nature of the cityscape. The "river flashing flowing corroded" and the "intricate harbor and the sea" suggest the complex interplay of natural beauty and human impact. The speaker contemplates the broader cosmos: "the wars, the moon, the / planets, all who people space / in the sun visible invisible." This line expands the poem's scope to include the entire universe, connecting personal experience to the vastness of space.

The imagery of "African violets in the light / breathing, in a breathing universe" serves as a metaphor for life and growth within the larger context of the universe. This moment of contemplation leads to a profound desire: "I want strong peace, / and delight, / the wild good." The speaker yearns for a balance of tranquility and joy, a harmony that encompasses the untamed and the beautiful.

The speaker's aspiration to create is expressed in the line: "I want to make my touch poems." This desire to transform personal experience into poetry reflects a commitment to capturing the essence of life and connection. The poem continues with a call to find and embrace life fully: "to find my morning, to find you entire / alive moving among the anti-touch people." The "anti-touch people" could symbolize those who are disconnected or indifferent, highlighting the speaker's wish to bridge gaps and foster genuine connections.

The poem closes with a resolution: "I say across the waves of the air to you: / today once more / I will try to be non-violent / one more day / this morning, waking the world away / in the violent day." This concluding stanza captures the tension between the desire for non-violence and the reality of living in a violent world. The speaker’s commitment to non-violence is a daily struggle, a conscious effort to resist the surrounding violence and maintain a sense of peace and purpose.

In "Waking This Morning," Rukeyser masterfully blends personal reflection with universal themes, creating a powerful meditation on the possibilities of creativity, connection, and non-violence. The poem’s rich imagery and contemplative tone invite readers to consider their own experiences and aspirations in the context of a complex and often challenging world. Through this intimate yet expansive exploration, Rukeyser offers a vision of resilience and hope, grounded in the daily act of waking and engaging with the world.

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