Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Hanging Screen" by Michael Anania is a deeply meditative and evocative poem that interweaves elements of nature, art, and philosophy to explore the complexities of perception, memory, and the creative process. The poem traverses a rich landscape of imagery, drawing from various cultural and natural references to create a tapestry of thought and sensation.

The poem begins with the line, “In warm sunlight jade / engenders smoke,” immediately setting a tone of mystical transformation and the blurring of boundaries between the tangible and intangible. The reference to jade, a stone revered in many cultures for its beauty and symbolic value, introduces themes of nature and artistry that recur throughout the poem.

Anania frequently references Chinese culture and philosophy, notably through the figure of Chuang Tsu, an influential Taoist philosopher. The image of Chuang Tsu “amused by butterflies” alludes to the famous Taoist parable of the butterfly dream, which questions the nature of reality and the distinction between dreaming and waking life. This theme of transformation and blurred lines between reality and illusion is central to the poem.

The poem also contemplates the act of writing and creating art. Phrases like “the light plays words / and figures, stone’s / edge edged with air” suggest the elusive and ephemeral nature of artistic creation, where the concrete and the ethereal intersect. The poem itself is likened to a hanging screen, a traditional form of Chinese art, which serves as a metaphor for the fluid and layered nature of poetry.

Throughout the poem, Anania skillfully weaves together a diverse array of images and ideas: the natural world, art, cultural symbols, and personal reflection. References to “gourd music,” “Chinese apples,” and “the Pacific” evoke sensory experiences that are both specific and universal, grounding the poem in tangible reality while also transcending it.

The closing stanza reflects on the desire to create a work of art that captures the fluidity and impermanence of life. The poet aspires to make the poem “of silk, stretched tight / and polished,” an artwork that is both beautiful and transient, reflecting the ever-changing nature of the world.

"A Hanging Screen" is a contemplative journey through the realms of nature, art, and philosophy. It invites readers to reflect on the interplay between reality and perception, the tangible and the intangible, and the transient beauty of the world around us. Anania’s rich imagery and thoughtful exploration of these themes make the poem a deeply engaging and rewarding read.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...