Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sonnets from One State West: 1. Inside Covered Bridge" by David Baker is a contemplative piece that grapples with themes of nostalgia, decay, and the passage of time through the lens of a physical journey to an old covered bridge. The sonnet form, traditionally associated with expressions of love, here becomes a vehicle for exploring a complex relationship with the past and the inevitability of change.

The poem opens with a sense of regret and struggle, as the speaker describes the difficult path taken to visit the bridge, now overgrown and neglected. The imagery of "ivy, brush, stickers as long as safety pins" conveys a sense of nature reclaiming human-made structures, emphasizing the theme of abandonment and the transient nature of human endeavors. The mention of the "sway-backed bridge" and the "bone-dry creek bed" further underscores the sense of desolation and the passage of time, where once-functional structures have fallen into disuse and disrepair.

The speaker's reflection on the lack of visitors to the bridge—"No mushroom picker, squirrel hunter, or arrowhead collector / born with common sense would come out of his way"—highlights the bridge's isolation and the speaker's solitary quest to connect with this relic of the past. This journey is not just a physical trek through overgrown paths but also a metaphorical exploration of the speaker's own motivations and the human desire to seek connection with history, even when such endeavors seem futile or irrational.

The poem's closing lines present a choice between two equally challenging paths: to retrace the difficult journey back or to continue forward into the unknown. This dilemma encapsulates the broader existential questions posed by the poem: whether to cling to the past and its memories, despite the pain and difficulty it may bring, or to move forward, accepting the inevitability of change and the uncertainty of the future.

"Inside Covered Bridge" is a powerful meditation on the ways in which we navigate our relationship with the past, confronting the decay and loss that time brings while also seeking to find meaning and solace in the remnants of history. Through its vivid imagery and reflective tone, Baker invites readers to consider their own journeys through the landscapes of memory and the choices we face in reconciling with the passage of time.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sweet_Home_Saturday_Night/ZGjghaq8LEMC?q=&gbpv=1#f=false

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