Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"B" by Larry Eigner is a contemplative and densely packed poem that explores themes of perception, the everyday versus the artistic, and the interconnectedness of human experiences. Eigner's use of language and his characteristic attention to the visual layout create a dynamic interplay between form and content, inviting the reader to navigate through his thoughts as they unfold spatially across the page.

The opening question, "Is it serious, or funny? Merely?" immediately sets a tone of ambiguity and inquiry, framing the poem as a meditation on the nature of experiences or observations—whether they should be taken gravely, lightly, or just seen as mere occurrences. This introduces the theme of interpretation, a recurring motif throughout the piece.

Eigner describes the "Miasma of art," possibly suggesting the confusing, often overwhelming cloud of artistic creation and interpretation. This line serves as a segue into his personal philosophy, "The more the merrier is my view seeing the levels of the world," which expresses an openness to various experiences and perspectives, appreciating the complexity and richness of life.

The poem then shifts to more concrete imagery: "Here they made the perfect pots on the beastly floors / the spoons and knives randomly dealt." These lines evoke a rustic, perhaps chaotic scene of creation and everyday life, juxtaposing crafted objects with their less refined environment. This could be seen as a metaphor for the artistic process itself—order emerging from chaos, beauty from the mundane.

Eigner reflects on historical and domestic scenes, mentioning "the women went undone till noon, plaiting," which evokes images of a slower, perhaps older way of life where time and traditional activities unfold in a communal rhythm. This passage ties into his larger reflection on how the past permeates the present, seen in "Somehow bedrooms don't carry tradition." Here, Eigner might be expressing how personal spaces like bedrooms, though intimate, often lack the historical weight of more public or communal areas.

The phrase "and the boxed radio / is off" alongside reflections on his own inward performance highlights a disconnect or a turning away from external sources of noise or influence, focusing instead on internal thoughts and feelings. This inward focus is contrasted with the external world's continual movement: "what is charging on the roadbed, what going away, the / fire-gong, people and busses."

Towards the end, Eigner contemplates the ephemeral nature of life and art—"the constant ephemerals"—and the elusive, fleeting impressions they leave, much like the "midnight birds" that evoke day in the night, a poignant image of things being present in their absence.

Overall, "B" by Larry Eigner is a richly textured poem that meanders through personal insights, sensory experiences, and philosophical musings, all while playing with the physical form of words and lines on the page. It challenges the reader to consider how we perceive and are influenced by the world around us, the art we encounter, and the histories we carry with us in everyday spaces.

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