Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Jerusalem Moniker" by Norman Dubie is a surreal and darkly humorous poem that blends elements of the absurd with biting social commentary. The poem constructs a bizarre narrative involving an olive tree, an old horse named Francine (spelled with three n's), and the playwright Samuel Beckett, set against a backdrop of a winter evening in Jerusalem. Dubie uses this unusual setup to explore themes of absurdity, scandal, and the unexpected consequences of seemingly trivial actions.

The poem opens with the image of an olive tree described as a "gangster," immediately setting a tone of personification and whimsy. The relationship between the olive tree and the old horse, Francine, is presented as a peculiar romantic entanglement permitted during the serene moment of sunset on a Sabbath evening in January. Dubie's choice of setting and timing—the peaceful Sabbath and the cold, still winter—contrasts sharply with the ensuing scandal, highlighting the irony and absurdity at the heart of the poem.

The narrative quickly takes a turn towards the absurd with the revelation that Francine is with child and the olive tree is rumored to be the father. However, Dubie subverts the initial absurdity with a twist—revealing that Samuel Beckett, the famed playwright known for his explorations of existential despair and absurdity, is the true father. This shift not only adds a layer of comedy but also serves as a metaphor for the unexpected and often bizarre intersections in life.

Dubie's poem then delves into a critique of societal responses to scandal and the obsession with trivial details that "upset us." The mention of a "gum and lambskin prophylactic" that failed introduces a note of human fallibility and the illusion of control we often believe we possess. The poet warns that it is the "details of winter," perhaps implying the harsh realities and truths we face in our darkest, most introspective moments, that truly unsettle us.

The poem's conclusion, with its playful reminder of the correct spelling of "Palestine" with two n's, underscores the absurdity of clinging to trivial details amidst the chaos of life and human relationships. This final note challenges the reader to consider the ways in which we focus on minutiae while perhaps missing the broader, more significant issues at play.

Overall, "The Jerusalem Moniker" is a quintessentially Dubian poem—rich with imagery, playful in tone, yet profound in its exploration of human nature and societal norms. It invites readers to reflect on the absurdities of life, the unexpectedness of relationships, and the often arbitrary nature of societal scandal and moral judgment.

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