Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Drifting" by Marvin Bell is a complex and layered poem that navigates themes of crisis, divine intervention, love, and survival. Through a series of vivid, sometimes surreal images, Bell crafts a narrative that oscillates between the metaphysical and the deeply personal, exploring the dynamics of support, salvation, and the struggles inherent in human relationships.

The opening question, "Who called a crisis a spade?" introduces the theme of confronting difficulties directly, likening a crisis to a spade that "unearths to the root canals," suggesting a deep and thorough examination of problems. This imagery of excavation not only evokes the idea of uncovering hidden truths but also the painful process of delving into the depths of one's experiences and emotions.

The reference to "one man you took for god" paddling his own canoe down root canals symbolizes individual journeys through life's challenges, emphasizing the solitary nature of personal struggles and the realization that each person must navigate their own path, even those who might have seemed infallible or god-like.

Bell's assertion that "You were assaulted from above" by a capricious God "making up for good times" introduces a notion of divine whimsy or indifference, complicating the relationship between the individual and the divine. This perceived betrayal from above contrasts sharply with the speaker's declaration of love "from underneath," suggesting a more grounded, tangible form of support and affection, albeit one that goes unrecognized or unappreciated by the other party.

The imagery of drifting to "shores of no light" washed up and searching for physical support (a shoulder, rib, one hand) evokes feelings of loneliness, desperation, and the longing for connection in moments of darkness. The speaker's admission of "drowning, using the dead man's float like a call for help" further emphasizes the vulnerability and precariousness of their situation, even as they attempt to reach out or offer support.

The metaphor of the stream of gold that winds around the addressee, serving as "half a jacket for me but a ring for you," captures the complexity of relationships, where what binds two people together can offer both protection and constraint. This imagery suggests the dual nature of commitments, which can simultaneously offer warmth and security while also signifying ownership or entrapment.

The concluding reference to "Everyman a Houdini who escapes that water with his wife" alludes to the famous escape artist Harry Houdini, drawing a parallel between the acts of magical escape and the struggle to survive and preserve relationships amidst life's tumultuous "waters." This line underscores the miraculous nature of enduring love and companionship, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

"The Drifting" is a meditation on the trials of love, the search for divine and earthly support, and the resilience required to navigate the complexities of life. Through his evocative use of language and imagery, Marvin Bell invites readers to reflect on the depths of human connection, the pain of isolation, and the enduring hope for salvation and understanding

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