Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Underneath (13)" by Jorie Graham is a contemplative and fragmented poem that delves into themes of perception, existence, and the interplay between the individual and the collective. The poem’s fragmented structure and shifting imagery reflect the complexity of human thought and experience, creating a tapestry of ideas that invites deep reflection.

The poem begins with a call for "needed explanation," highlighting the mystic nature of the theory and the reliance on collective belief. This sets the stage for an exploration of the abstract and the concrete, the theoretical and the experiential. The inability to visualize the end and the breaking of tools signify a struggle to comprehend and articulate profound truths.

The lines "the body the foundation the exact copy of the real / our surfaces were covered / our surfaces are all covered" suggest a tension between appearance and reality, the seen and the unseen. The mention of actual hands followed by writing in the cave evokes the idea of humanity's early attempts to communicate and document experience, a theme that resonates with the poem's exploration of expression and meaning.

Graham touches on the nature of emotion and dedication, particularly in the context of loss and creation: "oh and dedication training the idea of loss of life / in our work we call this emotion / how a poem enters into the world." This reflection on the process of creating art and the emotional investment it requires underscores the connection between personal experience and collective expression.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical contemplation: "the human being and the world cannot be equated / aside from the question of whether or not we are alone / and other approaches to nothingness." Here, Graham delves into existential questions, pondering the relationship between the self and the world, and the nature of existence itself.

The lines "uselessness is the last form love takes / so liquid till the forgone conclusion / here we are, the forgone conclusion" suggest a sense of inevitability and resignation, a recognition of the limitations of human effort and the transient nature of existence. The mention of "so many messages transmitted they will never acquire meaning" speaks to the challenges of communication and understanding, a recurring theme in the poem.

Graham introduces a more intimate tone with the lines "do you remember my love my archive / touch me (here) / give birth to a single idea," blending personal connection with the broader themes of creation and expression. The poem's focus on touch and physical presence emphasizes the importance of human connection in the face of existential uncertainty.

The closing lines of the poem are both introspective and expansive: "presence of world / impassable gap / pass / I am beside myself / you are inside me as history / We exist Meet me." These lines encapsulate the poem's exploration of the self in relation to the world, the gaps between understanding and experience, and the enduring presence of history within individual consciousness.

"Underneath (13)" by Jorie Graham masterfully weaves together themes of existence, perception, and human connection through its fragmented structure and evocative imagery. The poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of being, the nature of communication, and the interplay between the personal and the collective. Through its contemplative and philosophical tone, the poem offers a rich exploration of the human condition and the enduring quest for meaning.

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