Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Alteration Finds" by Geoffrey Brock is a triptych of poems that engage in a profound dialogue with the works of Arthur Rimbaud, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Giorgos Seferis, offering a contemporary reflection on themes of delirium, transformation, and denial. Brock's verses serve as both homage and reinterpretation, exploring the enduring relevance of these themes through the lens of modern sensibilities. Each section, inspired by a different poet, delves into the complexities of human experience, suggesting that the quest for understanding and the impulse towards change are universal aspects of the human condition.

Delirium, After Rimbaud: This poem captures the essence of vigil and contemplation, echoing Rimbaud's fascination with the boundaries of consciousness and reality. The speaker's watchful presence beside the sleeping other becomes a metaphor for the artistic and spiritual quest to transcend the mundane. The reference to "the real" and the desire to evade it speaks to Rimbaud's own departure from conventional life and literature, seeking instead a "derangement of all senses" to achieve a deeper, more profound understanding of existence. Brock's reflection on the fear for mankind rather than for the individual life highlights a broader existential concern, questioning whether any secrets discovered could indeed alter the course of human life.

Defaced, After Rilke: Brock channels Rilke's existential and often mystical inquiries into the nature of self and the imperative to change. The poem contemplates the unknowable aspects of existence, symbolized by the "head we cannot know" and its "bright fruit, the eyes." This unknowability contrasts with the body's tangible expressions, its "gaze" and the transformative power of physicality and desire. The imperative "You must change your life" echoes the ending of Rilke's "Archaic Torso of Apollo," suggesting that the encounter with true beauty or truth demands a personal transformation, a call to elevate one's existence beyond the mere physical to reach a higher state of being.

Denial, After Seferis: The influence of Seferis brings a meditative quality to Brock's exploration of memory, loss, and the elusive nature of truth. The "secret shore" and the erasure of names by the wind capture the transient, ephemeral nature of human connections and experiences. The poem reflects on the contradictions of life—its passions, joys, and inherent deceits—culminating in the realization of life's illusions and the consequent need to "change our life." This realization speaks to Seferis's themes of exile, both literal and metaphorical, and the search for identity and meaning in a fragmented world.

Through "Alteration Finds," Geoffrey Brock navigates the interplay between individual consciousness and the universal human journey towards understanding and transformation. Each poem, while rooted in the unique visions of Rimbaud, Rilke, and Seferis, transcends its inspiration to address the timeless and quintessentially human quest for meaning, connection, and self-realization. Brock's work stands as a testament to the power of poetry to bridge past and present, personal and universal, in the ceaseless endeavor to comprehend and shape our existence.

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