Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost's poem "The Poet's Black Drum" weaves together the imagery of fishing, the natural world, and the act of creation to explore themes of beauty, transformation, and the pursuit of understanding. The poem invites the reader on a journey that blurs the boundaries between the physical and the metaphysical, reflecting on the insights gained from engaging deeply with nature.

The poem begins with an invocation: "Come in the silent acting in a dream now wayfarer come back from that deepest paradise." This line suggests a calling to someone who has ventured into a profound and possibly mystical experience, referred to here as "deepest paradise." The idea of "silent acting in a dream" evokes the notion of a journey taken in a state of heightened awareness or altered consciousness, typical of a poet or an artist immersed in their craft.

The phrase "where all that haven't breath the breathless mouth may summon" is intriguing and paradoxical, suggesting a place or state where even the inanimate or the dead can be called into being. This could be interpreted as the creative realm where poets bring words and images to life, giving voice to the silent and the unseen.

The speaker asks the wayfarer to "Tell us all about your journey fishing," which serves as a metaphor for the poet's creative process. Fishing, with its associations of patience, skill, and connection to nature, becomes a symbol for the act of creation. The specifics of the journey are highlighted: "barbels: stony teeth in the throat: aching shoulders," which evoke the physical effort and the tactile reality of fishing. These images ground the poem in the tangible world, even as it explores more abstract themes.

"Tailing (the drifting fleece) - drum underneath the flutter" refers to a fishing technique and the behavior of fish, specifically the black drum, which is known for its drumming sound and is a common catch in Florida waters. The "drifting fleece" suggests the gentle movement of fish in the water, while "drum underneath the flutter" evokes the hidden rhythms and pulses of nature. This duality of surface beauty and underlying complexity is a recurring theme in Frost's work.

The poem continues with "fecund with slender parasites: beauty's flesh:: tasting of waters you taste and you say light dyed." Here, the juxtaposition of beauty and parasitism underscores the complexity and imperfection inherent in nature. The reference to "light dyed" suggests that the experience of fishing, and by extension the act of creation, transforms perception. The light, symbolizing insight and understanding, is tinged by the waters, indicating that true understanding is colored by the depth and context of one's experiences.

"The Poet's Black Drum" concludes with a sense of completion and transformation. The journey, both literal and metaphorical, through fishing and engaging with the natural world, leads to a deeper understanding of beauty and the complexities that lie beneath the surface. The poet, like the fisherman, must navigate these depths, bringing back insights that are both illuminating and tinged with the realities of the world.

Carol Frost's poem is a meditation on the creative process, the interplay between beauty and imperfection, and the transformative power of engaging deeply with nature. Through vivid and tactile imagery, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys and the insights they gain from immersing themselves in the world around them.

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