Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth's poem "Seeing" juxtaposes the historical and personal dimensions of perception, illustrating how context and individual perspective shape what we observe and appreciate. The poem opens with a reference to Thomas Coryate, a 17th-century English traveler and writer known for his eccentricity and adventurous spirit. Goldbarth uses Coryate’s travels to explore the evolution of how people see and interpret the world around them.

Coryate, who traveled across Europe and the Near East on foot and with minimal resources, observed and commented on various aspects of his journey, from beheading blocks to the novelty of courtesans' veils and gondolas. However, despite crossing the Alps, Coryate failed to mention the mountains in his writings. In the 17th century, mountains were not yet appreciated for their natural beauty; they were seen as "ugly obstructions." This historical context contrasts sharply with later perceptions, as seen in the writings of Thomas Gray and the paintings of Turner and Gainsborough, who found poetry and grandeur in the same landscapes Coryate overlooked.

Goldbarth seamlessly transitions from Coryate’s historical observations to a contemporary scene where he and his companion are picnicking in a mountainous area. The present setting is described with rich, sensory detail, from the "tarp-sized pool" where midges land like grosgrain to the "valpolicella-dark soil" and the air "so light it rides all other air's thermals." The lush description underscores how the natural environment provides a backdrop for human experiences and emotions.

Amidst this natural beauty, there is tension between the speaker and his companion, hinted at through "divorcetalk in the air" and their differing interpretations of a political couple they know. This personal discord mirrors the poem's broader theme of subjective perception. Just as Coryate and later artists viewed the Alps differently, the speaker and his companion see their world and each other through different lenses.

The poem's climax occurs when the speaker seeks solace and clarity by isolating himself on a ledge, gazing at the mountains. In this moment, the mountains become a symbol of enduring stability and beauty, providing the calm he seeks. This personal revelation parallels Coryate’s own moment of wonder when he discovered the use of forks in Italy—an observation of a seemingly mundane object that highlighted a significant cultural difference.

Goldbarth concludes by referencing Coryate’s delight in trying fried frogs with the newly discovered fork, juxtaposing it with the speaker’s need for peace amid personal turmoil. The historical detail about the fork serves as a metaphor for how small, seemingly insignificant observations can carry profound meanings and reflect broader cultural shifts.

Ultimately, "Seeing" is a meditation on how perception is influenced by time, context, and personal experience. Through the lens of Coryate’s historical travels and the speaker’s contemporary struggles, Goldbarth illustrates that what we see and how we interpret it is ever-changing, shaped by both external circumstances and internal states. The poem reminds us that every observation, whether grand like the Alps or minute like a fork, contributes to our understanding of the world and ourselves.

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