Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem “A Cabinet of Seeds Displayed” offers a meditation on the fundamental and transformative power of seeds, using them as a metaphor for potential, growth, and the natural cycles of life and death. Through rich imagery and contemplative language, the poem invites readers to reflect on the inherent value of these “original monies of the earth” and their implications for human understanding and governance.

The poem opens with a striking metaphor, describing seeds as the “original monies of the earth.” This comparison suggests that seeds, like currency, hold intrinsic value and the promise of future wealth. However, unlike money, which is often associated with materialism and economic transactions, seeds symbolize a more profound and organic form of wealth, one rooted in nature and the cycles of life. This natural wealth is “invested” with a spark, much like fire, indicating the latent energy within each seed that, when ignited, can lead to remarkable growth.

Nemerov highlights the paradoxical nature of this growth, noting that seeds “produce a green wealth toppling tall” through the processes of dying and decay. This line underscores the idea that life and death are intertwined, with the death of the seed leading to the birth of the plant. The burial and subsequent resurrection of each seed “in glory” suggest a kind of natural resurrection, where what is buried in the earth rises again, magnified “a million times above the obscure grave.” This imagery not only evokes the cycle of life but also hints at the grandeur and potential inherent in even the smallest seed.

The poem shifts focus to the reader, addressing them directly and presenting the seeds “for contemplation.” These seeds are “locked in potency,” kept from acting by their confinement. This state of potentiality emphasizes their latent power and the reverence with which they are treated. The seeds, though dormant, are not merely passive; they embody the promise of future growth and the continuation of life’s cycles.

Nemerov uses this display of seeds to remind readers that “all economies are primitive.” This statement suggests that, despite the complexities of modern economic systems, they are fundamentally rooted in the basic principles of nature and growth. The seeds serve as a metaphor for these foundational principles, reminding us of the simplicity and purity of natural economies compared to human constructs.

The poem concludes with a call to reflect on the lessons that seeds can teach us, particularly those in positions of power who speak of “husbandry” but may not fully grasp its true meaning. Nemerov critiques those who “think the hurricane, where power lies,” implying that true power is not found in force or destruction, but in the subtle, transformative processes of nature. The seeds, with their quiet potential and ability to grow into something magnificent, offer a model of power that is nurturing and life-sustaining rather than violent and disruptive.

In “A Cabinet of Seeds Displayed,” Howard Nemerov uses the metaphor of seeds to explore themes of potential, growth, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem’s imagery and contemplative tone invite readers to reflect on the fundamental value of nature’s processes and the lessons they offer for human understanding and governance. Through this meditation on seeds, Nemerov underscores the importance of reverence for nature and the need to recognize the true sources of power and wealth in the natural world.

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