Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Hall’s "Matter of Fact" is a rich, multi-layered poem that juxtaposes various historical and fictional voices to explore themes of courage, failure, and the existential realities of life and death. Through a series of vignettes and aphorisms, Hall creates a tapestry of human experience, revealing how individuals confront and articulate their struggles and mortality.

The poem begins with the terse declaration, "No Deposit. / No Return. / Said the bottle dead of beer." This phrase, commonly found on disposable bottles, serves as a metaphor for the finality of life and the irreversibility of death. The idea that life, like a bottle, is used up and discarded without return sets a somber tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests a bleak, honest affirmation of mortality, establishing the poem’s philosophical foundation.

The next lines, "Toughly by small things we learn / Courage in this hemisphere," reflect on how everyday challenges and minor adversities build resilience. The simplicity of "small things" stands in contrast to the profound courage they cultivate. This courage is not grand or heroic but is found in the mundane and the overlooked aspects of life.

The poem then transitions to a series of dramatic historical and mythical scenes, each illustrating a facet of human experience. The lines "It only hurts me when I laugh, / Said the hunter crucified" introduce a character who, while enduring extreme suffering, maintains a grim sense of humor. This figure denies being a Christ-like martyr and warns others to keep weapons away to avoid further curse and suffering. This vignette underscores the theme of stoic endurance and the complex interplay between pain and resilience.

Hall then takes us to the Paleolithic era: "In the caves of the Dordogne / Paleolithic doctors made / Records with their flint and stone / Of the slogans of the trade." Here, ancient humans record survival strategies, emphasizing pragmatic wisdom passed down through generations. The instruction to "Strike the big bulls in the heart; / Leave the pregnant cows apart" speaks to a fundamental survival ethic, blending the primal with the practical.

The poem moves to the American Civil War with a mention of Stonewall Jackson and Barbara Frietchie. Jackson's "uncharitable" decision to order Frietchie’s execution is contextualized as a reflection of the times, highlighting the harsh and often morally ambiguous decisions made during war. This historical allusion is followed by a critique of disease and its insidious nature, likened to "felt disease" that "eats anguish like a Stilton cheese." This metaphor emphasizes how suffering spreads and complicates life, blending physical and emotional pain.

The references to famous figures like Dillinger and Chinese Gordon add to the poem's exploration of courage and mortality. Dillinger's ignominious end, marked by a "single dirty word," contrasts with Gordon's stoic last stand, further illustrating different responses to death. Gordon’s assertion, "It only hurts me when I bray," highlights the paradox of suffering and the human tendency to endure pain with a grim sense of humor or resignation.

The poem circles back to the refrain, "No Deposit. / No Return," linking the various narratives to the central theme of existential finality. The repetition of this phrase reinforces the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life. The final image of "six pregnant cows untimely dead" observed by Stonewall Jackson merges the themes of life, death, and the unfulfilled potential, echoing the poem's meditation on mortality and the human condition.

"Life is hell but death is worse," a recurring sentiment in the poem, encapsulates the existential dilemma faced by the characters. Whether through historical anecdotes or mythical allusions, Hall conveys a deep-seated awareness of life's hardships and the grim reality of death. Yet, within this bleakness, there is a resilient human spirit that finds meaning and courage in the face of adversity.

In "Matter of Fact," Donald Hall presents a mosaic of human experience, blending historical, mythical, and personal elements to explore profound themes of courage, mortality, and the existential realities of life. The poem's stark imagery, philosophical reflections, and dark humor invite readers to ponder the complexities of the human condition and the ways in which we navigate the inevitable journey from life to death.

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