Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson’s poem "Inspiration" is a clever and introspective commentary on the nature of artistic creation, the role of the poet, and the shifting cultural landscape that has impacted the public’s engagement with poetry. The poem weaves together humor, classical references, and a touch of cynicism to explore the often solitary and sometimes futile feeling that accompanies the pursuit of art in a world increasingly dominated by mass media.

The poem opens with a reference to the famous Latin phrase "Ars longa, vita brevis," which translates to "Art is long, life is short." This sets the tone for a meditation on the enduring nature of art contrasted with the fleeting nature of life. The speaker addresses someone named Jon, thanking him for a card that depicts "The Poet's Inspiration." The description of the card reveals a scene rich with classical imagery: a poet, adorned with a "wreath of laurel," sits against a tree, a cherub hovering above him with another wreath, possibly symbolizing the Pulitzer Prize. This scene evokes the traditional, romanticized view of the poet as a divinely inspired figure, a view Simpson approaches with both respect and skepticism.

The poet in the image is depicted as a figure of authority, "right arm lifted commandingly," while a woman, whom the speaker assumes to be his wife, takes dictation at his side, eyes "turned up to the sky in wonder." This scene exaggerates the role of the poet, suggesting an almost godlike status where even his spouse is in awe, ready to capture his every word. On the other side of the poet stands another woman, more relaxed and "splendidly dressed," who seems to be his muse—a symbol of inspiration, yet also of leisure and perhaps detachment from the actual labor of creation. The little boy with a wreath, treating it "like a plaything," adds a touch of irony, suggesting that what is often seen as the highest honor or reward can also be trivialized.

Simpson’s reference to Nicolas Poussin, a 17th-century French painter known for his classical themes, further emphasizes the connection between classical art and the poet’s internal struggles. The scene on the card, based on Poussin’s work, sparks the speaker’s reflection on his own role as a poet. He questions the purpose of writing: "What shall I write? For whom? / And why do we bother?" These questions reflect the poet’s existential crisis, the uncertainty about the relevance of poetry in a world that seems to value it less and less.

The speaker then invokes Walt Whitman, one of America’s most iconic poets, who believed that "Popular taste will be taking precedence in the arts." Whitman’s optimism about the public’s engagement with poetry contrasts sharply with the speaker’s more cynical view. The speaker apologizes to Whitman, stating that "the public these days doesn’t read anything. / The public watches TV." This line underscores the shift from a culture of reading and intellectual engagement to one dominated by passive consumption of mass media. The implication is that poetry, and perhaps art in general, has lost its place in the public’s imagination.

However, the poem does not end on a note of despair. Instead, the speaker finds a silver lining in this cultural shift. With "Popularity out of the way," the poet can focus on creating art for its own sake, free from the pressures of public approval or commercial success. The final line, "It's long," echoes the opening phrase "Ars longa," suggesting that while life is brief and public taste is fickle, true art endures. The poet’s task, then, is to persist in the face of indifference, to create work that may outlast the ephemeral distractions of contemporary culture.

"Inspiration" by Louis Simpson is a nuanced reflection on the challenges of being an artist in a world that increasingly undervalues the written word. Through its witty and self-aware narrative, the poem explores the tension between the idealized role of the poet and the realities of modern life, ultimately affirming the enduring value of art even in an age of widespread cultural disengagement. Simpson’s deft use of classical imagery, coupled with his modern sensibility, makes this poem a rich and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of inspiration and the purpose of art.

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