Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"American Smooth" by Rita Dove is an evocative poem that captures the fluid dynamics of dance as a metaphor for the broader experiences of life, particularly the moments of transcendence that can occur within the confines of practiced discipline and restraint. Dove's poem elegantly intertwines themes of joy, effort, and the fleeting nature of sublime experiences.

The poem begins in medias res, with the speaker and her partner dancing, likely a foxtrot or a waltz, dances that epitomize a blend of romantic fluidity and strict technique. The mention of "something romantic but requiring restraint" immediately sets up a tension between emotion and form, a recurring theme throughout the poem. The dance requires "rise and fall, precise execution," which highlights the discipline necessary to perform it correctly but also subtly hints at the emotional undulations experienced by the dancers.

As they move seamlessly from one song to the next, the physical exertion is palpable — "two chests heaving above a seven-league stride." This image not only conveys the breadth of their movement, sweeping across the dance floor, but also alludes to the fairy-tale notion of covering great distances with each step, enhancing the magical quality of the moment. The phrase "such perfect agony, one learns to smile through" reveals the complex emotional experience of maintaining grace under pressure, a skill that extends beyond dance to life itself.

"Ecstatic mimicry being the sine qua non of American Smooth" points to the essential nature of appearing effortless and joyful, regardless of the underlying effort. This line reflects a broader societal commentary on the expectations to maintain a facade of ease and happiness, even during challenging times.

The turning point in the poem occurs when the speaker, caught up in the technical aspects of maintaining her "frame" and the outward appearance of joy ("smiling, smiling"), fails to notice the transformative moment initially when they "achieved flight." This metaphor of flight represents a peak moment of perfection and transcendence that can occur when everything aligns flawlessly. However, this moment is ephemeral, as indicated by "how still you'd become," suggesting a pause or culmination of their movement together.

The realization of flight, even if just for "two measures? four?" is a profound experience for the speaker, described as "that swift and serene magnificence." It’s a moment of pure elevation above the ordinary, an escape from the gravity of everyday life. Yet, the reality that "the earth remembered who we were and brought us down" speaks to the inevitable return to normalcy, the grounding of sublime moments back into the mundane.

"American Smooth" thus captures the beauty and brevity of those rare moments when humans transcend their limitations and experience something akin to sublimity. Rita Dove uses the metaphor of dance not only to explore artistic expression and physical discipline but also to delve into the deeper, often fleeting moments of connection and transcendence that define the human experience.

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