Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "Ajanta: 3. Les Tendresses Bestiales" is a vivid, sensory-laden poem that explores the intertwining of physical and emotional experiences within a dreamlike, almost surreal context. The poem continues the journey initiated in the earlier sections of "Ajanta," delving deeper into themes of love, transformation, and the quest for understanding.

The opening lines set a scene where physical touch and the celestial converge: "A procession of caresses alters the ancient sky / Until new constellations are the body shining." This imagery transforms human touch into something cosmic and eternal, suggesting that intimate experiences can reshape one's perception of the universe. The "Hand to steer by," the "horizon Breast," and "Great Stars kindling the fluid hill" create a map of the body that guides and illuminates.

Rukeyser's use of "magical boxes" and "flickers / Sexual and exquisite" evokes a sense of wonder and enchantment, where reality is infused with magic. The panther, a symbol of both danger and allure, flows away after a moment of contact: "The panther with its throat along my arm / Turns black and flows away." This fleeting interaction suggests a transient yet impactful connection.

The poem then shifts to a darker, more introspective tone: "Deep in all streets passes a faceless whore / And the checkered men are whispering one word." This imagery hints at underlying currents of despair and the pervasive presence of unnamed desires or secrets. The transformation of familiar objects and faces into nightmarish or surreal elements—like "the night-black rose" and "the sharp face is now an electric fan"—reflects the disorienting nature of inner turmoil.

As the poem progresses, it grapples with themes of loss and destruction: "The dice and the alcohol and the destruction / Have drunk themselves and cast. / Broken bottle of loss, and the glass / Turned bloody into the face." These lines capture the self-destructive tendencies that can arise from deep emotional pain, where indulgence in vices leads to further suffering.

Yet, amidst this chaos, there are moments of clarity and realization: "Now the scene comes forward, very clear. / Dream-singing, airborne, surrenders the recalled, / The gesture arrives riding over the breast, / Singing, singing, tender atrocity." This "tender atrocity" encapsulates the paradoxical nature of love and life—where beauty and brutality coexist.

Rukeyser reflects on a moment of epiphany: "My life said to you: I want to love you well. / The wheel goes back and I shall live again." This desire for meaningful connection and the cyclical nature of existence are central to the poem's exploration of love and rebirth. The speaker's realization that their life is intertwined with another's, culminating in the line "You touched my life," underscores the transformative power of love.

The final lines return to a sense of urgency and introspection: "I am haunted by interrupted acts, / Introspective as a leper, enchanted / By a repulsive clew." This haunting reflects the unresolved tensions and desires within the speaker, as they navigate the complexities of their emotions and experiences.

The imagery of "sheeted avenues thrash in the wind, / Torn streets, the savage parks" evokes a landscape ravaged by internal and external storms, mirroring the speaker's tumultuous inner world. The poem concludes with a call to continue the journey: "I am plunged deep. Must find the midnight cave." This quest for the "midnight cave" symbolizes the ongoing search for understanding, peace, and self-discovery amidst the chaos.

In "Ajanta: 3. Les Tendresses Bestiales," Rukeyser masterfully intertwines rich imagery and profound emotional insights to explore the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition. The poem invites readers into a world where physical and emotional experiences are deeply interconnected, and the journey towards self-awareness is both beautiful and harrowing.

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