Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Schuyler's poem "Running Footsteps" captures the tension and urgency of a moment infused with natural elements, human instinct, and a sense of inevitable movement. The poem is marked by its rhythmic flow, shifting between the external environment and the internal state of the speaker, ultimately culminating in a visceral expression of fear and survival.

The poem begins with a mundane observation: "A thin brown stain / down the white brick wall," suggesting a leak in the roof. This image of the brown stain on a white surface sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where ordinary objects and occurrences are imbued with a sense of foreboding. The leak, a seemingly minor issue, symbolizes a breach or flaw in what should be a secure environment, foreshadowing the more intense experiences to come.

As the poem progresses, Schuyler introduces a sensory onslaught: sleet rustling down the chimney, turning into "a midwinter downpour." The imagery of streets becoming rivers evokes a sense of transformation and instability, where the familiar landscape is overwhelmed by the forces of nature. The mention of "Water Street" and "Railroad Avenue" reinforces the idea of a small-town setting, grounding the surreal experience in a recognizable context.

The power failure that follows—"The current fails. / Lights go out / in parts of town"—heightens the tension, plunging the speaker into darkness and amplifying the sounds of the storm. The poem's narrative shifts from external observation to internal turmoil as the speaker hears "running footsteps" in the rain. These footsteps symbolize a desperate need to escape or confront something unavoidable, driven by the storm and the speaker's own fears.

The repeated phrase "had stayed where was...?" suggests a moment of indecision or hesitation, where the speaker considers whether they could have remained where they were instead of being compelled to move. This moment of doubt is quickly overridden by the realization that staying put was not an option—"Couldn't. Why?"—emphasizing the inevitability of action.

The poem reaches its climax with the description of the speaker's flight: "so out you / go into it," where the act of leaving, of plunging into the storm, becomes a necessity. The imagery of "screaming in / fear, in rage, / instinctual" conveys the raw, primal emotions that drive the speaker forward. The running footsteps, initially external, now belong to the speaker, who finds themselves propelled by an almost animalistic need for survival.

Schuyler's use of enjambment and fragmented lines mirrors the disjointed, chaotic experience of the storm and the speaker's response to it. The lack of punctuation at the end of many lines creates a sense of continuous motion, reflecting the relentless pace of the rain and the speaker's flight. The poem's structure, with its short, sharp lines, echoes the urgency of the situation and the physicality of the speaker's movements.

In the final lines, the poem returns to the tactile sensations of the storm: "the rain / rain-chilled / to be alive." Here, the rain, which initially seemed threatening, is now associated with life itself. The cold, sharp sensation of the rain becomes a reminder of the speaker's existence, of their ability to feel and move and survive.

"Running Footsteps" is a powerful exploration of fear, movement, and the instinct to survive. Through vivid imagery and a rhythm that mirrors the frantic pace of the experience, Schuyler captures the intersection of the external world and internal emotions, ultimately presenting a moment of intense, almost existential clarity. The poem suggests that in the face of overwhelming forces—both natural and psychological—movement, action, and the visceral experience of being alive are what ultimately define us.

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