Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Advice to the Players" by Frank Bidart delves into the existential and philosophical underpinnings of creativity and the human compulsion to make, shape, or misshape our lives and the world around us. Through a series of contemplative assertions and reflections, Bidart explores the intrinsic need for creation as a fundamental aspect of human identity and existence, juxtaposing this need against the backdrop of societal norms and personal observations, particularly those derived from his parents' lives.

The poem opens with a provocative statement about the inadequacy of our conventional understanding of what it means to be human, pointing out the omission of the "need to make" from our collective definition and vision. This need is presented not as a mere desire but as an essential, existential thrust, a fate that compels us to give form and meaning to our existence through creation. The phrase "willy-nilly thrust into our hands" underscores the involuntary nature of this existential condition, highlighting the inevitability of engaging with the act of making as a means of grappling with our existence.

Bidart's reference to his parents observing "corrosively the arc of their lives" introduces a personal dimension to the poem, suggesting a recognition of unfulfilled potential and the corrosive effect of recognizing this too late or not at all. The act of making, then, is positioned as a mirror through which we not only see reflections of ourselves but also construct and understand our being and purpose in the world.

The poem expands the concept of making beyond grand creations to include the everyday shaping of moments and interactions, such as an afternoon or a meal. This broadening serves to democratize the act of creation, asserting its accessibility and significance in the minutiae of daily life. However, Bidart also introduces the concept of mis-shaping, indicating that creation is fraught with the potential for failure or distortion, and without clear intention or understanding, the need to make can become a curse rather than a blessing.

Bidart critiques the cultural valuation of certain types of making over others and the pervasive notion that leisure and cessation of labor are the ultimate goals of existence. He contrasts this with the idea that the greatest luxury is the alignment of one's livelihood with one's passion for creation, suggesting that such alignment is rare and constitutes a form of grace.

Drawing upon his observations of his parents' lives, Bidart touches on the universal human condition of aspiring to create something meaningful, yet often falling short. This reflection is both a personal acknowledgment and a broader commentary on the human struggle to realize our creative impulses fully.

The poem concludes with a rejection of the role of the advice-giver, a stance that underscores the poem's exploration of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the act of making. "Go make you ready" serves as a final, open-ended directive, encouraging the reader to engage with the act of creation, armed with the insights and reflections Bidart has offered.

"Advice to the Players" is a profound meditation on the human condition, creativity, and the search for meaning through the act of making. Bidart's poem invites readers to reflect on their own creative impulses and the ways in which those impulses are shaped, fulfilled, or thwarted by the forces of society, personal circumstance, and the intrinsic challenges of creation itself.

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