Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Kay Ryan’s poem "The Egyptians" is a thoughtful exploration of the ancient Egyptian worldview, focusing on their aversion to novelty and their reverence for stability and continuity. Through her characteristic economy of language and wit, Ryan examines how the Egyptians integrated their environment, labor, and spiritual practices into a philosophy that eschewed change and embraced the rhythms of nature. The poem contrasts their grounded, measured approach to life with modern obsessions with novelty and unpredictability, offering a subtle critique of contemporary values while celebrating the enduring wisdom of the past.

The poem opens with a striking observation: "Novelty had not yet replaced seasons / in the ancient pantheon of the Egyptians." This line establishes the poem’s central tension between novelty—representing change, unpredictability, and distraction—and the cyclical, predictable rhythms of nature embodied by the seasons. By framing novelty as something that "replaced" seasons, Ryan suggests a cultural shift from grounding oneself in natural patterns to seeking constant stimulation and innovation. The Egyptians, however, are portrayed as resistant to this shift, valuing the dependable majesty of their environment over the pursuit of oddity.

Ryan’s description of "the available majesty of the Nile" underscores the centrality of the river to Egyptian life. The Nile, rising and flooding with regularity, provided not only sustenance but a model for stability and continuity. Its waters are described as "rising up the legs of the ibis," linking the natural rhythms of the Nile to the sacred, as the ibis was associated with the god Thoth. The imagery of "flooding the fields of papyrus" reinforces the Nile’s generative power, both as a source of agricultural fertility and as a medium for cultural and intellectual production, given the use of papyrus in writing. The rhetorical question, "why court oddity?" highlights the Egyptians’ contentment with the abundance and order provided by the Nile, implying that they saw no need to disrupt this harmony with unnecessary change.

The poem shifts focus to labor and social roles, noting "active distaste among even maize slaves / and stone masons for changes other than the seasons." Here, Ryan emphasizes the shared cultural ethos of stability, extending it to all levels of society. The specificity of "maize slaves" and "stone masons" situates the reader in the practical, physical labor that sustained Egyptian civilization. These roles, tied to agricultural cycles and monumental construction, exemplify a worldview rooted in permanence and order. Change, in this context, is not seen as progress but as a potential disruption to the established systems that ensured survival and cultural continuity.

The poem’s meditation on death provides a profound insight into the Egyptian mindset. Death, described as "too sudden," is framed as the ultimate source of unpredictability and disruption. In response, the Egyptians took "steps taken such as the preparations of Tutankhamen." The mention of Tutankhamen invokes the elaborate funerary practices of ancient Egypt, including mummification and the construction of grand tombs filled with items for the afterlife. These practices reflect the Egyptians’ desire to mitigate the suddenness of death, transforming it into a process that could be planned, prepared for, and controlled. The reference to "the vagaries of hope" further highlights their pragmatism: rather than relying on uncertain outcomes, the Egyptians placed their faith in tangible preparations and the enduring structures they built.

Ryan captures the Egyptians’ philosophical perspective with the line, "knowing the water one crosses / shapes to the boat." This metaphor, likely referencing the Nile or the mythical river crossed in the afterlife, encapsulates their understanding of adaptability and permanence. The water, while fluid and changing, conforms to the boat’s shape, suggesting that while external forces may be unpredictable, they are ultimately shaped by the structures we create. This idea reflects the Egyptians’ belief in the power of preparation and order to navigate the uncertainties of life and death.

The concluding lines of the poem celebrate the Egyptians’ achievements and their commitment to stability: "Oh the brave and confident, / the habitual people of Egypt / who filled Heaven with Earth by the cubit." The phrase "habitual people" underscores their reverence for routine and consistency, qualities often undervalued in modern cultures that prioritize innovation. The reference to "filling Heaven with Earth by the cubit" alludes to their monumental architecture, particularly the pyramids, which were built with mathematical precision and an eye toward eternity. This imagery highlights the Egyptians’ ability to transform the earthly into the divine, bridging the physical and spiritual worlds through their measured, deliberate actions.

Structurally, the poem’s compact lines and enjambment mirror the Egyptians’ methodical approach to life. Each phrase is carefully placed, reflecting the precision and intentionality that characterized their labor and philosophy. The tone is both admiring and contemplative, inviting readers to reflect on the values of stability, order, and reverence for natural cycles.

"The Egyptians" ultimately serves as both a tribute to and a reflection on an ancient civilization’s wisdom. By contrasting their grounded worldview with modern preoccupations with novelty and change, Ryan invites readers to reconsider the value of permanence and the rhythms of nature. The Egyptians’ pragmatic approach to life and death, their respect for labor, and their integration of the natural and divine stand as a reminder of the enduring power of measured, intentional living. Through its vivid imagery and philosophical depth, the poem offers a timeless meditation on the balance between continuity and change, urging us to find stability in the rhythms that sustain us.

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