Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"With My Back to City Hall, On Yom Kippur" by Jordan Davis is a captivating poem that paints a vivid tableau of urban life, capturing a moment of introspection amid the bustling environment of a city. The poem is a rich tapestry of observations, where the speaker’s attention flits from one detail to another, each element contributing to a multifaceted portrait of humanity in its various forms and activities. Written from the perspective of someone observing the world around them on Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and reflection in the Jewish tradition, the poem intertwines themes of love, connection, and the hope for communal well-being.

The poem starts with an observation of gnats around highway dividers, immediately grounding the reader in the urban setting. This mention of gnats, seemingly insignificant creatures, sets the tone for the poem’s attention to the small, often overlooked details of city life. As the poem unfolds, the speaker's gaze shifts from the gnats to the people in the city, each observed with a compassionate eye.

The variety of loves listed by the speaker underscores a universal connection among all elements of the city's tapestry. From the softness of hands to the laughter among friends, the love of knowledge, and even the cloud cover that mirrors the speaker's headache, there's an embracing of all aspects of life, pleasant and otherwise. This inclusivity highlights the poem's underlying theme of finding beauty and value in every facet of existence, even in moments of discomfort or mundane daily activities.

Significantly, the poem mentions "the paranoia which has closed off all the paths closer than this to City Hall," hinting at a post-9/11 atmosphere of heightened security and suspicion that has reshaped the urban landscape. Yet, despite these barriers, there is still love for the city and its inhabitants, suggesting resilience and the capacity to find joy and connection in a changed world.

The interactions described in the poem—ranging from a man expressing religious love, to the admiration for a woman's fashion, to the simple act of a baby kicking out a sock—celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of city life. Each vignette adds depth to the urban experience, illustrating the complex tapestry of human life that unfolds daily on the streets.

Towards the end, the poem shifts to a communal blessing, wishing for all these observed individuals to have rent-stabilized leases and to be active participants in their community through voting and union membership. This turn towards a wish for stability and civic engagement adds a layer of social commentary to the poem, emphasizing the importance of security, community, and political agency in fostering a healthy urban life.

In "With My Back to City Hall, On Yom Kippur," Jordan Davis masterfully captures the essence of urban observation and reflection, weaving together disparate threads of city life into a coherent, compassionate vision. The poem is a reminder of the beauty found in everyday moments and the interconnectedness of all city dwellers, even as they navigate the complexities of contemporary urban existence.

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