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METAPHOR AS SYMPTOM OF REASON'S DESPAIR, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Metaphor as Symptom of Reason's Despair" by Mary Jo Bang is a poignant reflection on the nature of perception, reality, and the role of metaphor in expressing the ineffable aspects of human experience. Through evocative imagery and a nuanced exploration of the boundaries between the tangible and the abstract, Bang delves into the complexities of how we interpret and ascribe meaning to the world around us. The poem navigates the interplay between the concrete and the imagined, probing the limitations of reason and the human inclination toward symbolic representation as a means of making sense of our existence.

The poem commences with a scene of everyday life, grounded in the familiarity of a neighborhood. The imagery of "clothes on the line, the wings of a red blouse, sail of warm March" paints a vivid picture of a moment teeming with life and movement. This setting serves as a gateway into the poem's exploration of perception, with the ordinary becoming a canvas for deeper reflection. The mention of a "two-story house—patio and lamppost, bald man in dark green clipping a ledge" further roots the poem in the mundane, only to reveal that "Roof is illusion; house is illusion." This revelation marks a shift towards the metaphysical, challenging the reader to question the nature of reality and the constructs that define our understanding of the world.

The sky, described as "a palate, blue tears," becomes a symbol of emotional and existential depth, transcending its physicality to embody the sorrows and beauty of life. The transition from a literal landscape to one where "the sky is also a turned cup over barbed wire and heart break" illustrates the poem's central thesis: the metaphor as a manifestation of our struggle to articulate the complexities of human emotion and experience. The imagery of the sky, transformed by perspective, underscores the dual capacity of metaphor to both reveal and obscure, serving as a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the known and the unknowable.

Bang invokes the image of "Fossils remain in Cambrian shale: the body as mouth, gut and bone" to reflect on the primordial and enduring aspects of existence. This reference to the Cambrian period, a time of significant evolutionary development, suggests a contemplation of life's fundamental essence, marked by survival and adaptation. The depiction of ancient creatures as "An uncommon efficiency, tentacled, spineless" evokes a sense of awe at the simplicity and complexity of life forms, paralleling the poem's meditation on the essence of being and perception.

The poem culminates with the striking image of "The white moorland horse seen running in snow, impelled by a grammar that cannot be heard." This line encapsulates the ineffable nature of existence, propelled by unseen forces and an intrinsic order that defies direct articulation. The metaphor of the horse, majestic and unbounded, running through snow, symbolizes the spirit's relentless pursuit of understanding and expression, driven by an internal logic that remains elusive and profound.

"Fog on the car window, veil over nothing at all" closes the poem on a note of mystery and introspection, suggesting the opacity and enigma that shroud our attempts to grasp the essence of reality. This final image serves as a metaphor for the human condition itself, marked by a perpetual quest for clarity amidst the fog of existence.

"Metaphor as Symptom of Reason's Despair" is a masterful exploration of the interstices between reality and perception, the tangible and the ineffable. Through its rich imagery and contemplative depth, Mary Jo Bang articulates the paradoxes of human experience, highlighting the role of metaphor as both a tool for understanding and a reflection of our deepest existential yearnings. The poem stands as a testament to the power of poetic expression to navigate the complexities of life, reason, and the search for meaning in an often inscrutable world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Apology_for_Want/1W-qSUDbYSYC?q=%22you+wandered%22&gbpv=1&bsq=METAPHOR#f=


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