Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"An Owl Is An Only Bird of Poetry" by Robert Duncan is a rich, multi-layered poem that employs a variety of symbolic and metaphysical imagery to explore themes of creation, perception, and the poetic process itself. This work, dedicated to James Broughton, encapsulates a vast array of concepts and emotions, ranging from the mystical to the visceral, invoking both the natural world and the spiritual or artistic realms.

The poem opens with an evocative image: "A cross leaves marks the tree we fancy." This line sets the tone for the exploration of the intersections between the natural world and the constructed symbols of human culture and religion. The tree, a symbol of natural life and growth, is marked by the cross, an emblem of suffering, sacrifice, and redemption in Christian symbolism. This intertwining of nature with human symbolism introduces a central theme of the poem: the overlay of human meaning on the natural world.

As Duncan delves deeper, he presents the owl, a traditional symbol of wisdom and mystery in literature, as a central figure. The owl in this poem is not only a creature of the night but also a representation of poetry itself—elusive, observant, and penetrating. The poem suggests that poetry, like the owl, operates on the margins of human understanding, navigating through darkness with insight.

The poem's structure and language itself are a testament to Duncan's style, characterized by abrupt shifts, dense imagery, and complex associations. Phrases like "include a prayer" and "include lions rise" serve as directives, urging inclusion of diverse and disparate elements into the poetic vision, reflecting the poem’s own eclectic nature. This inclusivity is mirrored in the way Duncan weaves together a tapestry of images and references, from religious icons to natural phenomena, creating a poem that is both a meditation and a mosaic.

Duncan's reflections on the artistic process are particularly poignant. He writes of the "vowels are physical corridors of the imagination emitting passionately breaths of flame" and "the consonants are a church of hands interlocking," suggesting that poetry is a bodily, almost corporeal endeavor. These lines personify the letters and sounds as active, dynamic participants in the creation of meaning, emphasizing the physicality of language as it is spoken or read.

The latter parts of the poem delve into the transformative power of poetry, which Duncan likens to the flight of the owl—both creating and transcending time. The owl's flight is not just movement through space but a metaphysical journey that shapes reality itself: "He flies thru a time which his wing creates." This suggests that poetry, too, shapes the world it describes and alters the perceptions of those it touches.

In the closing sections, Duncan addresses the reader directly through a series of visionary images involving the owl, now hung in a tree, a potent symbol of sacrifice and revelation. This scene may evoke the crucifixion, transforming the owl into a Christ-like figure who suffers yet enlightens. The imagery of the owl "hung in a tree like flesh hung on a bone" and its transformative suffering reflects on the nature of poetic creation—painful yet profoundly revelatory.

Overall, "An Owl Is An Only Bird of Poetry" is a philosophical and introspective poem that uses the motif of the owl to explore deep questions about the nature of poetry, creation, and existence. Through its complex imagery and dense, layered language, Duncan challenges the reader to see the world anew, transformed by the poetic vision just as the night is transformed by the silent, observant flight of the owl.

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