Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s poem "Closer" is a complex and multi-layered meditation on evolution, human nature, and the interplay of myth and science. The poem starts with a reference to native "callers" who, through correct invocation, can summon porpoises to the surface with cries of joy. This sets up a theme of connection and the power of words to bridge distances, whether literal or metaphorical.

The poem's first lines introduce a student’s error: "Lucifer... fell / from God's thrown." This misspelling of "throne" as "thrown" hints at a deeper truth about Lucifer's fall, suggesting both a loss of position and a violent ejection. It illustrates how minor mistakes in language can reveal profound insights, a recurring theme in Goldbarth's work. The subsequent description of the Garden of Eden evokes an image of paradise with an underlying tension, as Satan observes Adam and Eve making love. The mention of "Satan the bad angle" is another play on words, where "angle" should be "angel," hinting at misperception or a distorted view.

Goldbarth then transitions to the concept of evolution, referencing Darwin and the transformation from fish to mammals to humans. This journey from water to land symbolizes a physical and metaphorical ascent, akin to the biblical fall and rise narrative. The poem suggests that early humans were closer to their primal, animalistic roots, exhibiting "panther's supple musculature" and "the great ape-thrust of the buttocks," as well as "lioness mothertongue licking." These vivid images emphasize a time when humans were more in tune with their instincts and natural desires, in contrast to the more detached and cerebral existence of modern humans.

The poem's focus shifts to the contemporary human condition through the letters of friends, which recount personal stories of pain and redemption. These stories echo the old myths, albeit in a more mundane and profaned form. The phrase "our marriage splitting like the atom-kapow" juxtaposes the scientific with the personal, showing how modern experiences can still carry the weight of ancient struggles and transformations.

Goldbarth further explores the connection between the body and the natural world, stating, "If the blood is a little like the sea (and it is)." This comparison reinforces the idea that, despite our advancements, we are still intrinsically linked to the natural elements from which we evolved. The poem culminates in an intimate moment between lovers, where the speaker puts his lips to the lover's "lips the gates" and calls, summoning something primal and ancient to the surface. This act of calling back to a shared, deep-seated origin evokes a sense of unity and continuity through time.

In "Closer," Goldbarth masterfully intertwines themes of evolution, mythology, and personal experience, using language that blurs the lines between past and present, the sacred and the profane. The poem invites readers to consider the ways in which we are connected to our primal origins and how these connections shape our understanding of love, pain, and redemption. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful wordplay, "Closer" offers a profound reflection on the enduring ties between humanity and the natural world, and the timeless quest for understanding and connection.

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