Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Barbara Guest’s poem "The Screen of Distance" is a multi-layered exploration of perception, memory, and the interplay between reality and illusion. Each section of the poem delves into different facets of these themes, using vivid imagery and reflective language to evoke a sense of timelessness and introspection.

The poem begins with an evocative scene: "On a wall shadowed by lights from the distance / is the screen." This screen, described as being "suspended like / the frame of a girder," serves as a metaphor for the projection of narratives and poetry. The icons that appear on this screen are reflections of journeys and memories, casting language upon it much like the tree casting its shadow. The idea of a screen, which both reveals and conceals, sets the stage for the exploration of various forms of distance—emotional, physical, and temporal.

In the second section, Guest introduces the metaphor of "Flaubert’s parrot" for the telephone, which flits "from perch to perch across the city." This device symbolizes the transient nature of communication and the ephemeral connections we make. The section evokes a sense of longing and disconnection, with the telephone acting as "the guignol of / messages" and the speaker feeling "caught in the wind’s draft."

The third section shifts to a nighttime perspective, where "shadowy icons framed by light" on the screen take on a more ominous tone. The "rasping interior" and "ripened clauses" suggest a deeper, more introspective layer of the psyche. This part of the poem highlights the contrast between the gentle, comforting images of the past and the harsher, more formidable projections of the present.

Guest continues this exploration of words and their power in the fourth section, where she reflects on Flaubert's relationship with language. Words become "a superior joke," and the ego of words stretches to the room’s borders, embodying the movement and form of a poem. This personification of words underscores their dynamic and transformative nature.

In the fifth section, the introduction of the mineral Beryl serves as a metaphor for the poem itself. Beryl’s detailed description, with its varying shades of blue and green, parallels the nuanced and layered nature of poetic expression. The use of mineral imagery adds a tactile quality to the poem, bridging the abstract with the tangible.

The sixth section continues this theme, focusing on the interplay between color and form. The poem becomes a "planned randomness," where color behaves "like a star." This juxtaposition of randomness and planning mirrors the creative process, where structure and spontaneity coexist.

The seventh section delves into the relationship between nature and language, suggesting that "Experience and emotion performed / as they did within the zone of distance." Words create a "phenomenal blush," dispersing illusion and highlighting the fluid boundaries between reality and perception.

In the eighth section, Guest describes the poem as "hardware / decorating a quiet building," suggesting that poetry can both embellish and disrupt. The references to Shelley and the storm of neurosis highlight the tension between artistic creation and psychological turmoil. The poet’s beak dipping in air symbolizes the delicate balance between inspiration and instability.

The ninth section introduces the Bride, who seizes the poem and leads the reader to view an "enigmatic hill." This image suggests a journey through layers of meaning and symbolism, with the poem acting as a guide.

The tenth section presents a dream within a dream, where a piece of white marble, "perfect in this dream," symbolizes the purity and permanence of artistic creation. The marble, a relic of the past, represents the enduring nature of art and its capacity to transform reality.

The eleventh section features a Baron facing a decision at the entrance to a narrow tunnel, symbolizing the choices we make in confronting reality. The use of cadmium yellow to describe the sunset suggests a moment of intense clarity and apprehension.

In the final section, Guest reflects on the process of sifting through "fictive ambiguities" to find a "plain moment." This moment of clarity, where "Dialogue set in motion urged a search / in memory," highlights the transformative power of language and its ability to illuminate the screen of distance.

"The Screen of Distance" is a rich, complex poem that invites readers to contemplate the intersections of memory, perception, and reality. Guest’s use of vivid imagery and reflective language creates a tapestry of meaning that resonates with the reader long after the poem ends.

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