Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Song of the Old Order" by Robert Duncan is a lyrical homage to timeless themes of love, commitment, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem employs a traditional and ritualistic tone to celebrate the virtues of fidelity, companionship, and the natural progression of time as marked by the changing seasons. Duncan’s use of repetition and classical allusion imbues the poem with a sense of reverence and continuity that ties human emotions and relationships to the broader, enduring rhythms of the natural world.

The poem opens with a celebration of iconic figures in traditional narratives: the Lady and her knight, and two friends who may be brothers or lovers, symbolizing the ideal of loyalty and deep connection. This celebration extends to "the man and the woman naked betrothed" who metaphorically "give green to the earth" and by their union "raise the day's light." This imagery suggests that through love and commitment, humans contribute to the renewal and sustenance of the world, both literally and metaphorically enriching the earth.

The refrain "burnt leaf of november and green of may" captures the essence of cyclical change, representing the passage from decay to renewal, from autumn to spring. This natural cycle mirrors the emotional and spiritual cycles within human lives—periods of joy and sorrow, growth and decline—that Duncan explores throughout the poem.

As the poem progresses, it delves deeper into the interplay between joy and sorrow, using the characters of Joan and John to personify these shifting states. "Joan grows sullen and Joan delights" alongside "John has known grief and John’s known joy" depict the spectrum of human emotions, underscoring the idea that life is a blend of varying experiences, each contributing to the richness of existence.

Duncan’s references to a "Lord" who has "awakend our hearts" and "redeem'd the abyss" infuse the poem with spiritual dimensions, suggesting that the cycles of life and the laws of nature are imbued with divine significance. This spirituality is tied to the "new law" and the transformative "kiss," symbols that may allude to religious narratives of redemption and renewal, such as those found in Christian theology.

The poem continually returns to the motifs of natural cycles and the "bindings of law," which are both celebrated and revered as sources of stability and order in the cosmos. These laws are not only legal or societal but also cosmic and natural, guiding humanity and providing a framework within which life unfolds.

By the conclusion, "A Song of the Old Order" reaffirms the values of troth (faithfulness) and love as foundational to human existence, linking them to the eternal cycles of nature. The repeated invocation of seasonal change serves as a metaphor for human resilience and the perpetual renewal of hope and life through love.

Overall, Duncan’s poem is a rich tapestry that weaves together elements of myth, nature, and spirituality to celebrate the enduring human virtues of love and loyalty. Through its lyrical structure and classical imagery, the poem connects individual human experiences to universal patterns, offering a song of praise to the continuity and renewal inherent in the natural order.

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