Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Letters to Yesenin: 28; to Robert Duncan" by James Harrison is a poignant, visceral letter-poem that explores themes of creativity, despair, and the human condition, interweaving personal reflection with historical and cultural imagery. Harrison, known for his raw, intense poetic style, addresses Robert Duncan directly, drawing on both poets' experiences and struggles to grapple with the burdens of artistic life.

The poem opens with a meditation on the concept of being "winged," a metaphor for the liberating power of flight and transcendence that the speaker wishes to reclaim in its purest forms—like a bird, or an airplane, or in victory. However, the speaker quickly subverts this idealized imagery by rejecting its application to "spirit" or to poetry that feels as heavy and unhealthy as "fried foods." This establishes a tone of disillusionment with the romanticized views of poetic inspiration and spiritual uplift.

Harrison then shifts to a darker narrative, asking rhetorically about the cost of cocaine, a metaphor for the destructive paths one might take to achieve the sensation of being "winged." This is juxtaposed with the price paid for creating poetry—"one body and soul net, one brain already tethered to the dark," which poignantly captures the often-destructive toll that deep creative engagement can exact on poets like Duncan and perhaps Harrison himself.

The poem continues to weave together grim historical and cultural references, such as Mayakovsky's suicide, the Siege of Leningrad, and crows feasting on the dead—a stark imagery that underscores the harsh realities of history and the human capacity for endurance and survival. These images serve as a grim reminder of the suffering and devastation that has characterized much of human history, contrasting sharply with the earlier, more personal themes of seeking liberation and transcendence.

Harrison also introduces a surreal element with the story of a "sickly winged horse in the cellar of the Winter Palace," a mythical creature that symbolizes failed attempts at escape and revolution. This creature, intended for flight but ultimately destroyed, mirrors the fates of many human aspirations crushed under the weight of historical upheaval.

The poem closes on a reflective note, acknowledging the inherent limitations ("stall factor just under a foot") of poetic endeavors that strive to evade "State interference" and the overarching systems of control. The final image of Harrison himself, "flapped your arms madly, unwinged but craving a little flight," is a powerful metaphor for the human desire to transcend one's circumstances despite the awareness of one's limitations and the often-unattainable nature of true freedom.

Overall, "Letters to Yesenin: 28; to Robert Duncan" is a complex, layered poem that navigates between personal anguish, historical trauma, and the ceaseless human quest for liberation and meaning. Harrison's use of vivid imagery and historical references enriches the text, providing a dense, textured exploration of the pains and aspirations that define the poetic and human experience.

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