Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s poem “Cock” is a richly detailed exploration of curiosity, eccentricity, and the tension between orthodoxy and heterodoxy across different eras and places. The poem juxtaposes historical anecdotes with personal memories, weaving them into a tapestry that reflects on human nature and the pursuit of knowledge.

The poem begins with a depiction of Charles Darwin’s explorations in Chile in 1834. Darwin, armed with his geological hammer and bags full of shells and barnacles, represents the quintessential naturalist driven by curiosity. His encounter with a Spanish lawyer, who expresses disbelief at the British monarch’s interest in such pursuits, underscores the cultural differences and the suspicion often directed at those who deviate from the norm. Darwin’s bemusement at this skepticism highlights the divide between scientific inquiry and conventional beliefs.

Goldbarth then shifts to a broader discussion of eccentric collectors and creators, like Lillian Colton and Nellie Staves, whose seemingly odd hobbies might provoke similar suspicion. Colton’s intricate seed portraits and Staves’ fungus carvings exemplify the same meticulous, obsessive curiosity that drove Darwin. Yet, to an outsider like the Spanish lawyer, these activities could appear bizarre or even heretical, reminiscent of the persecution faced by naturalists and other thinkers who challenged established norms.

The poem delves into the historical persecution of those who questioned orthodoxy, such as Giordano Bruno, who was executed for positing a new cosmology. This historical context is juxtaposed with contemporary examples, like Suzette and Edie, a lesbian couple facing modern prejudices. The poem draws a parallel between past and present, suggesting that while the specifics of what is deemed heretical may change, the underlying fear of difference remains constant.

Goldbarth’s personal narrative weaves through these broader historical and cultural reflections. He recalls a moment of rebellion against his father’s religious beliefs, a pivotal confrontation marked by emotional intensity and the weight of tradition. This personal anecdote grounds the poem in the intimate and everyday, highlighting how the grand themes of orthodoxy and heterodoxy play out in individual lives.

The poem concludes with a return to Darwin, now in the rain-soaked landscape of the Chonos Archipelago. Darwin’s joy in the minutiae of nature, from sea-slug eggs to seaweed beds, encapsulates the spirit of curiosity that drives scientific discovery. This closing image contrasts sharply with the earlier anecdotes of persecution, suggesting that true curiosity, though often misunderstood, persists regardless of external judgment.

“Cock” is a meditation on the enduring tension between curiosity and convention. Goldbarth uses historical and personal anecdotes to illustrate how those who deviate from the norm, whether naturalists, artists, or lovers, often face suspicion and persecution. Yet, the poem celebrates the resilience of curiosity and the human spirit’s capacity to seek understanding and beauty in the world, despite the risks involved. Through its rich imagery and nuanced reflections, “Cock” invites readers to consider the value of curiosity and the courage it takes to pursue it in the face of societal constraints.

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