|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"The Possibility of New Poetry" by Robert Bly is a captivating exploration of the transformative power of poetry and its capacity to reimagine and reclaim the world from the clutches of commercialism and mundanity. Through vivid imagery and a longing for a return to authenticity and depth, Bly articulates a vision for poetry that transcends the ordinary and touches the sublime. This poem serves as both a critique of contemporary society's superficial values and a hopeful invocation for a renewed engagement with the elemental and profound. Bly begins with striking juxtapositions – "Niagara, and the Huron squaws, / The chaise longue, the periwinkles in a rage like snow, / Dillinger like a dark wind." These images, ranging from natural wonders and historical references to everyday objects and notorious figures, illustrate the breadth of poetry's domain. By placing these disparate elements in close proximity, Bly suggests that poetry's true potential lies in its ability to bring together the diverse aspects of our experience into a cohesive and meaningful whole. The call to "cover the advertising men with clear water, / And the factories with merciless space" is a powerful plea for purification and liberation from the constraints of commercial influence and industrial expansion. Bly envisions a world where the creative spirit is not stifled by the pursuit of profit or the mechanization of life but is free to explore the depths of human and natural experience. This imagery of cleansing and opening up space reflects a desire for a return to a more authentic and grounded existence, where the poetic imagination can flourish unimpeded. The "strong-haunched woman / By the blazing stove of the sun, the moon," is a potent symbol of primal energy and creativity. She represents the force that drives the creation of new poetry, a connection to the elemental powers that govern life and inspire art. Her presence in the poem speaks to the enduring human capacity for creation and transformation, suggesting that even in a world overshadowed by commercialism and superficiality, the potential for profound and authentic expression remains. Bly's longing for a world where poetry can reclaim its vital role is encapsulated in the image of the poet, "sitting on the naked wood / In another world," a space untouched by the corrupting influences of modern society. This is a space of purity and possibility, where the imagination is free to roam and create without constraint. The mention of "all the Shell stations / Folded in a faint light" further emphasizes the desire to transcend the commercial and mundane, envisioning a world where even the most ubiquitous symbols of modernity are rendered ethereal and insubstantial in the face of poetic imagination. "The Possibility of New Poetry" is a compelling meditation on the capacity of poetry to challenge, transform, and elevate our understanding of the world. Through its evocative imagery and passionate advocacy for a renewed poetic vision, the poem invites readers to consider the ways in which poetry can offer a refuge from the superficial, a connection to the elemental, and a pathway to deeper understanding and expression. Bly's poem is a call to poets and readers alike to embrace the possibility of new poetry that engages with the world in all its complexity, beauty, and mystery.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PRODIGAL SON by ROBERT BLY SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: COLUMBUS CHENEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS IN A LIBRARY by EMILY DICKINSON THE JOURNEY by EMILY DICKINSON |
| |