Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anthony Hecht's "Sestina d'Inverno" is a masterful composition that intertwines the bleak reality of a Rochester winter with the imaginative escapism of the mind. The sestina's rigid structure, with its recurring end-words, mirrors the relentlessness of winter itself, creating a rhythmic meditation on place, weather, and the human spirit's resilience.

In the first stanza, Hecht introduces us to Rochester, a city with "twenty-seven words for 'snow,' / not all of them polite." This hyperbolic statement immediately sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the oppressive, omnipresent nature of the snow. The "wayward mind," however, is not confined by this harsh reality and escapes to an imagined "Yucatan of its own making," a place of warmth and sensory delight far removed from the gray cityscape.

As the poem progresses, the contrast between the desolate Rochester and the vibrant fantasy world sharpens. The second stanza continues this juxtaposition, as the residents of Rochester, described as "natives," endure a landscape sown with "mines of salt" reminiscent of a "bare ruined Carthage." This image of decay and desolation is contrasted with the mind's journey to a "coppery, sleek lagoon" or "cinnamon island," highlighting the yearning for a paradisiacal escape.

The third stanza deepens this exploration of the mind's imaginative flight. The "ark" that sets forth on "that ocean Marvell called the mind" is bound for a land where "natives / blend coriander, cayenne, mint in making / roasts that would gladden the Earl of Rochester." This blending of sensual delights and historical allusions enriches the fantasy, making it a vibrant counterpoint to the starkness of the present.

Hecht's use of the sestina form is particularly effective in conveying the repetitive, unchanging nature of winter. The recurring end-words—"Rochester," "snow," "mind," "making," "island," and "natives"—reinforce the inescapable cycle of thoughts and experiences that characterize the season. The fourth stanza's reflection on an "island / was blessed heaven once, more than an island, / the grand, utopian dream of a noble mind," underscores the theme of escapism, while acknowledging that these dreams are but fleeting comforts against the reality of "snow."

In the penultimate stanza, Hecht acknowledges the practical challenges of survival in such an environment. The reliance on the "Rochester / Gas and Electric Co." for warmth and the comparison of the natives to "Pompeians" buried under volcanic ash emphasize the severity of the winter and the residents' dependency on modern utilities for survival. This brings a touch of dark humor, as the mundane reality starkly contrasts with the grandiose escapism of the mind.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, reaffirming the dominance of "snow" as the "single verity of heaven’s making," indifferent to human dreams and fantasies. The poem closes on a note of resignation, acknowledging that "no island fantasy survives Rochester," where the harshness of winter is an unavoidable truth.

In "Sestina d'Inverno," Hecht masterfully uses the sestina form to explore themes of escapism, resilience, and the stark contrast between reality and fantasy. The poem's structure and recurring motifs create a rhythmic meditation on the relentlessness of winter and the human spirit's enduring desire for warmth and beauty amidst desolation. Through this intricate dance of words, Hecht captures the profound impact of place and season on the mind and spirit.

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