Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Just a Moment—I Am Busy Being a Man" by Marvin Bell is a provocative and introspective poem that delves into the complexities and isolations of masculinity. Through a series of assertions that alternately claim and disclaim the attributes traditionally associated with being a man—intellect, emotion, and spirituality—Bell explores the contradictions and pressures that define male identity.

The poem's structure, with its repetitive entreaties for "just a moment," suggests a struggle for space and time to fulfill the roles expected of a man. The speaker's request for absence of colors and sounds while being "the brain of a man" reflects a societal expectation for men to embody rationality and stoicism, distancing themselves from the sensory and emotional world that might be deemed distractions.

Similarly, when the speaker asserts they are "busy being the heart of a man," the request for "no thoughts, no politics please" underscores a tension between feeling and the external forces that often seek to regulate or define emotional expression. The transformation of blood into pebbles symbolizes the hardening or suppression of emotions, a common motif in discussions about masculinity where vulnerability is often eschewed for strength.

The stanza dedicated to being "the soul of a man" further complicates the narrative by asking for a reprieve from "aches and pains" and seeking "a minute alone with the corpse." This imagery evokes a sense of existential solitude and the internal confrontation with mortality and essence that lies beyond physical and emotional experience.

The poem's conclusion, stating that "Being the brain, the heart and the soul of a man / isn’t easy," acknowledges the multifaceted and often conflicting expectations placed upon men. The absence of "buttons" and "manuals" metaphorically speaks to the lack of guidance for navigating the complexities of manhood, emphasizing the trial and error, and the inherent difficulties in balancing these aspects of identity.

Bell's poem is a meditation on the challenges of embodying and reconciling the diverse aspects of masculinity. Through its minimalist language and stark imagery, "Just a Moment—I Am Busy Being a Man" invites reflection on the societal constructs of gender and the personal journey of understanding and expressing one's identity within those constraints.

POEM TEXT: https://www.vqronline.org/people/marvin-bell

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...