Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s “A Charm for Cantinflas” is a poetic homage to the beloved Mexican comedian and film actor Cantinflas, whose real name was Mario Moreno. Through a blend of lively imagery and rhythmic language, Rukeyser captures the essence of Cantinflas’ humor and the joy he brought to his audience, even amidst life's hardships and sorrows.

The poem begins by setting a scene of exuberant celebration: “After the lights and after the rumba and after the bourbon / and after the beer / and after the drums and after the samba and after the / ice cream and not long after / failure, loss, despair, and loss and despair.” This sequence of lively events followed by mentions of despair creates a juxtaposition that emphasizes the contrast between revelry and the inevitable moments of hardship in life. It’s a rhythm of ups and downs that characterizes the human experience, making Cantinflas’ role as a bringer of laughter even more significant.

Rukeyser introduces Cantinflas with a sense of culmination and relief: “There was the laughter and there was Cantinflas at last / and his polka / doing the bumps with a hot guitar / turning unique. Slow. Slow. Slow. Deprecating / shoulder up. / Hand up. / All the fingers tall.” The repetition of “Slow. Slow. Slow.” mimics the deliberate, exaggerated movements characteristic of Cantinflas’ comedic style. His physical comedy, marked by self-deprecation and a unique rhythm, becomes a symbol of resilience and joy.

The depiction of Cantinflas as “Panache and rags and triumph and smile— / beggar of light in ridiculous sunlight” highlights his dual nature as both an ordinary man and a figure of triumph. The “beggar of light” suggests someone who seeks and spreads joy, while “ridiculous sunlight” conveys the absurdity and brightness of his comedy. Cantinflas’ ability to find humor in the mundane and elevate it to something extraordinary is celebrated here.

Rukeyser continues to explore the human qualities embodied by Cantinflas: “All things human clumsy and fair / as graceful as loving as stupid as true.” This line encapsulates the essence of humanity in its contradictions—clumsiness and fairness, grace and stupidity, love and truth. Cantinflas, through his performances, encapsulates these qualities, making his comedy relatable and deeply human.

The poem then shifts to the broader impact of Cantinflas’ art: “And on this floor / the dancers, in this square the little trees, / and on this stage always the clown of our living.” The imagery of dancers and trees in a square evokes a sense of community and natural beauty, suggesting that Cantinflas’ performances bring life and vibrancy to everyday scenes. Describing him as “the clown of our living” positions him as an essential part of life’s fabric, someone who brings joy and light to the human experience.

Rukeyser concludes with a celebration of Cantinflas’ enduring influence: “gives us our sunlight and our incantation / as sun does, laughing, shining, reciting dawn, noon, and down, / making all delight and healing all ills / like faraway words on jars, the labels in Protopapas’ window: / marshmallow, myrtle, peppermint, pumpkin, sesame, sesame, squills.” This passage likens Cantinflas to the sun, a source of light and laughter that marks the passage of time and seasons. The comparison to “faraway words on jars” with exotic and comforting labels evokes a sense of nostalgic charm and the comforting presence of Cantinflas in the collective memory.

In “A Charm for Cantinflas,” Rukeyser not only pays tribute to a beloved comedian but also underscores the vital role of humor and resilience in navigating life’s challenges. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, she captures the essence of Cantinflas’ enduring charm and the universal human need for laughter and light.

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