Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Richard Wilbur’s "Gnomons" is a reflective and intellectually resonant poem that explores the intersections of time, tradition, and the continuity of human knowledge. By drawing a parallel between his own act of measuring shadows in Massachusetts and Bede’s similar endeavor thirteen centuries earlier in Jarrow, Wilbur meditates on the enduring relationship between humanity and the natural rhythms of the cosmos. The poem’s concise structure and lyrical precision highlight Wilbur’s ability to bridge historical reflection with personal experience, revealing a timeless connection to the pursuit of understanding.

The poem begins with a historical account: "In April, thirteen centuries ago, / Bede cast his cassocked shadow on the ground / Of Jarrow." Wilbur’s invocation of the Venerable Bede—a figure renowned for his scholarship and contributions to medieval science—immediately situates the poem in a context of intellectual and spiritual inquiry. The imagery of Bede in his cassock, measuring his shadow heel-to-toe, captures the integration of faith and reason that characterized his work. Wilbur highlights the humility and diligence of this act, as Bede "measured to where a head that could contain / The lore of Christendom had darkly lain." This line connects the physical act of measurement to the immense intellectual legacy of Bede, suggesting that even mundane actions can hold profound significance.

Bede’s methodical process leads to a discovery: "thereby, for that place and season, found / That a man’s shade, at the third hour from dawn, / Stretches eleven feet upon the lawn." These specific measurements emphasize the precision and care involved in Bede’s study of natural phenomena. The act of shadow measurement becomes a metaphor for the human effort to impose order and understanding on the world, linking the temporal with the eternal. By including these precise details, Wilbur invites readers to appreciate the tangible and empirical aspects of Bede’s work, which coexist with its spiritual implications.

In the second stanza, Wilbur shifts to the present, mirroring Bede’s actions: "This morning, with his tables in my hand, / Adapting them as near as I can gauge." This gesture of following in Bede’s footsteps highlights the continuity of intellectual inquiry across centuries. Wilbur’s use of "his tables" suggests not only the physical act of measurement but also the shared intellectual framework that transcends time and geography. The scene is rooted in Massachusetts, yet it resonates with the same cosmic order observed by Bede in Jarrow. This parallel underscores the universality of such endeavors, as Wilbur paces "through April sunlight toward a wall" to replicate Bede’s experiment.

The phrase "whatever other dark might plague the age" introduces a layer of historical and existential reflection. Wilbur acknowledges that while each era has its own challenges—its "dark" moments—the constancy of natural laws, like the predictability of shadows, offers a grounding sense of fidelity. This interplay between transient human struggles and the enduring rhythms of the cosmos suggests a source of solace and continuity.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of unity and rhyme: "And, warmed by the fidelity of time, / Make with his sun-ringed head a dusky rhyme." Here, Wilbur envisions his shadow as harmonizing with Bede’s, creating a "dusky rhyme" that transcends the centuries. The phrase "sun-ringed head" evokes both the literal halo of sunlight around a shadow’s edge and the metaphorical halo of reverence surrounding Bede’s legacy. By linking his own shadow to Bede’s, Wilbur aligns himself with a tradition of inquiry and reflection, suggesting that even in different contexts, humanity’s fundamental questions and methods endure.

Structurally, the poem’s consistent rhythm and balanced quatrains mirror the precision and harmony of its subject matter. Wilbur’s language is measured and deliberate, reflecting the careful methodology of both Bede’s shadow measurements and his own poetic craft. The interplay between historical narrative and personal reflection creates a sense of timelessness, as Wilbur bridges the gap between past and present.

"Gnomons" is ultimately a meditation on the persistence of human curiosity and the ways in which individuals connect across time through shared acts of understanding. By juxtaposing Bede’s medieval observations with his own experience, Wilbur reveals the continuity of intellectual and spiritual inquiry, emphasizing the enduring value of seeking knowledge in an ever-changing world. The poem invites readers to reflect on their place within this tradition, offering a quiet affirmation of the human capacity to find meaning in both the mundane and the eternal.

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