Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Schuyler's "I Am Keenly Disappointed. I Eagerly Await" juxtaposes the seemingly trivial world of comic strips with deeper, perhaps more profound undercurrents of human experience. The poem begins with the playful sounds of "Zug. / Zumph."—onomatopoeic words that seem to be pulled directly from a comic strip or a child’s imagination. These sounds immediately set a tone of lightness and simplicity, but as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this simplicity belies a more complex and poignant exploration of human longing and disappointment.

The poem’s title itself is a study in contrasts. The phrases "keenly disappointed" and "eagerly await" reflect a tension between disillusionment and hope, a dichotomy that resonates throughout the poem. This tension mirrors the basic structure of comic strips, where simple, often humorous scenarios carry an underlying commentary on the human condition, whether it be the longing for fulfillment, the ache of disappointment, or the ever-present hope for something better just around the corner.

Schuyler then shifts to describe a scene from the funnies, where characters are depicted walking up a country road, "far from a great war." This setting introduces a layer of escapism; the characters are removed from the harsh realities of life, insulated in the innocent and predictable world of comic strips. The dialogue in the speech balloons—expressing hunger and fatigue, followed by a hopeful plan to seek refuge—captures the essence of everyday struggles and the simple comforts that often serve as temporary solace.

The contrast between the "great war" and the peaceful, mundane activities of the characters suggests a parallel between the larger conflicts in life and the small, day-to-day actions that help people cope. The characters’ decision to seek shelter at a farmhouse, followed by the scene of them eating "creamed chicken on waffles," evokes a sense of comfort and security, yet there is an inherent irony in this depiction. The simplicity of their solution—finding comfort in a meal—highlights the human tendency to seek solace in routine and familiarity, even as greater, unresolved issues loom in the background.

The extended panel that takes up "the space of three ordinary panels" could be seen as Schuyler’s commentary on the nature of time and experience. The leisurely pace of this scene, stretched out to accommodate the comforting image of a shared meal, contrasts sharply with the brevity and urgency often associated with the human experience of disappointment and anticipation. In real life, moments of comfort and togetherness can feel fleeting, while the anxieties and desires that precede or follow them are stretched out in our minds, much like this extended comic strip panel.

In using the format of a comic strip as the vehicle for his poem, Schuyler invites the reader to reflect on how we, like the characters in the funnies, navigate our own disappointments and anticipations. The triviality of the comic strip’s content is juxtaposed with the gravity of its emotional subtext, mirroring how people often use humor and routine to mask deeper feelings of longing and despair.

Ultimately, "I Am Keenly Disappointed. I Eagerly Await" is a meditation on the human condition, wrapped in the deceptively simple form of a comic strip. Schuyler’s poem suggests that beneath the surface of everyday actions and decisions—whether in the funnies or in life—lies a complex web of emotions, driven by the tension between our disappointments and our hopes. The poem captures the essence of these emotions in a way that is both light and profound, making the reader keenly aware of the delicate balance between the ordinary and the extraordinary in our own lives.

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