Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Returning to Roots of First Feeling" by Robert Duncan is a profound exploration of the deep and primal connections that bind human experience to the natural world and its ancient rhythms. Through this poem, Duncan delves into the historical and cultural continuities that shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the continuum of life.

The poem opens with a list of words—"Feld, groes or goers, hus, doeg, dung"—evoking elements of the natural world and daily life that connect modern humans with their ancient predecessors. These words, representative of field, grass, house, day, and dung, symbolize the basic and enduring aspects of human existence that link contemporary life to its historical and prehistorical roots. Duncan suggests that these fundamental elements are shared across time and space, connecting us with "those that in the forests went singers and dancers out of the dream." This line conjures images of early humans who lived more directly in touch with nature, their lives expressed through song and dance as natural as the environments in which they thrived.

Duncan's reference to "cradles, goods and hallows" emphasizes the notion that cultural artifacts and sacred practices predate modern religious and social structures, such as Christendom. He highlights that the creative and spiritual impulses of humanity—manifested through poetry and song—are as ancient as humanity itself, transcending specific historical or religious contexts.

The phrase "me bifel a ferly, a fairy me thoughte" uses archaic language to enhance the connection to the past, suggesting a mystical or magical revelation that feels both ancient and personal. This encounter in a "faire felde ful of folke" further emphasizes the communal and universal nature of human experiences, where the poet finds himself amidst a crowd, perhaps symbolic of the human collective or the gathering of souls across time.

Duncan articulates a sense of unity in diversity when he writes "for the vain and the humble go into one Man and as best we can we make his song," suggesting that all human experiences, regardless of their nature, contribute to the collective human narrative. This 'one Man' could be seen as a metaphor for humanity itself, with poetry as the expression of its unified voice.

The poem concludes with a longing to rekindle a connection to primal energies and wisdoms that modern life has obscured or forgotten. The "simple like making of night and day encumbered by vestiges and forebodings in words of need and hope" reflects the poet's endeavor to strip away the complexities and anxieties of contemporary existence to reveal the fundamental, cyclical rhythms of life—night and day, life and death, growth and decay. Through this, Duncan seeks to "awaken the old keeper of the living and restore lasting melodies of his desire," invoking the idea of a timeless guardian or spirit of nature whose songs and desires encapsulate the essence of life itself.

Overall, "Returning to Roots of First Feeling" is a lyrical meditation on the continuities and connections that link us to our deepest historical and cultural roots. Through its rich imagery and contemplative tone, the poem invites readers to consider the ways in which our shared primal experiences continue to shape our understanding of the world and our expressions of meaning within it.

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