Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Return of the Muses" by Barbara Guest delves into the transient nature of inspiration and creativity, embodying the poetic struggle and the eventual return of artistic vigor. The poem juxtaposes the ephemeral and the eternal, the void and fulfillment, through rich imagery and reflective tone.

The poem opens with a lament on the loss of tangible forms: "So much goes away / Forms are now shades, / those solid weights, how empty they are, mere boxes, the whispering voice, / the ankle bone only an arch." Guest sets a tone of melancholy, illustrating how once-solid entities have transformed into mere shadows. This transition from solidity to insubstantiality reflects the fleeting nature of inspiration and the palpable sense of loss when creativity wanes.

Guest's imagery of a barren landscape, "Peasants once sowed this valley there isn't any wheat here or oats there almost isn't a valley, only a dent," underscores the theme of desolation. The valley, once fertile and productive, now lies empty, symbolizing a creative drought. The morning described as "all concaveness" and clouds retracting into themselves further enhances the sense of emptiness and withdrawal.

However, this desolation is temporary. The shift from concavity to convexity with the return of rain signifies the revival of inspiration. "The rain is here now. / 'It makes for change and a certain disagreeableness this coming and going makes one nervous'" captures the tumultuous nature of the creative process, where periods of drought and abundance alternate. The rain's return, though initially disagreeable, brings renewal and change, hinting at the cyclical nature of inspiration.

The poem's narrative then shifts to the idea of farewells and new beginnings: "The farewells to buildings / and then to the hole in the ground / This hello on one's lips to a new perspective / finished by the end of the week, completed a fresh horizon line." The physical and emotional farewells signify an acceptance of the past and an embrace of new perspectives, essential for the return of creativity.

Guest's personification of the Muses, who "departed divine Muses without warning / And I went on a diet / I stopped eating regularly," illustrates the personal toll of their absence. The Muses' departure disrupts the poet's life, highlighting the deep connection between the artist's well-being and their creative muse. The poet's self-imposed discipline, "strict discipline, continuous devotion, receptiveness," reflects the rigorous effort to maintain a creative practice in the face of adversity.

The return of the Muses is marked by a shift in tone from melancholy to elation: "Here you are back again. Welcome. / Farewell, 'strict, continuous, receptive'." The return brings with it a sense of liberation and joy, depicted through vibrant imagery: "There's that old shawl in the corner looking like a wave / There's a ringing in my ears as if a poem were beating on stone / The room fills now with feathers, the birds you have released, Muses." The Muses' return transforms the room, filling it with feathers and the sound of poetry, symbolizing the rejuvenation of the poet's creative spirit.

Guest concludes with an evocative image of the poet's yearning to listen to the Muses' "marvelous hello." This final line encapsulates the poet's deep appreciation and reverence for the Muses, emphasizing the profound impact of their return on the poet's life and work.

"Return of the Muses" is a poignant exploration of the ebb and flow of creativity. Barbara Guest masterfully uses imagery and tone to convey the emotional journey of artistic inspiration—its loss, the struggle to maintain creativity in its absence, and the ecstatic renewal upon its return. The poem serves as a testament to the resilience of the creative spirit and the eternal cycle of inspiration.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...