Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Duration of Water" by Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge intricately weaves a tapestry of symbolism, emotion, and perception through the metaphor of a theatrical performance, suggesting a deep exploration of the human experience. The poem positions the reader as both spectator and participant in a dynamic, fluid environment where elements of nature, art, and emotion intermingle to form a complex understanding of reality.

Berssenbrugge crafts a microcosm of the public sphere as a theater, a place where human joys and pains are not just represented but amplified and re-examined through the lens of performance. This setting becomes a vehicle for exploring the nuances of human emotion and the ways in which we express and understand these feelings. The mention of painted scenes that combine and recombine suggests the ever-changing nature of human experience and the fluid boundaries between joy and pain.

The poem's imagery—dancers floating on their backs in still water, three stones protruding from the water, and the simple scale of three instruments—evokes a sense of calm and harmony. Yet, Berssenbrugge hints at the complexity and intensity of emotions that lie beneath this serene surface, mentioning that some passions can only be resolved through fire and weather catastrophes. This juxtaposition highlights the volatility and unpredictability of human emotions and the forces of nature as metaphors for these internal states.

Yang Kue Fe's sigh upon hearing the emperor's desire for her introduces a personal, intimate moment within the grandeur of the performance, underscoring the poem's exploration of individual emotions within a collective experience. The imagery of a red line on the boards, thick smoke or mist, and the changing scale of a man's shoulders further delves into the transformative power of perception and the ways in which we construct and reconstruct our realities.

The poem's conclusion, with the music taking on the cold or heat of the air and the transformation into foliage as a form of sexual punishment, suggests a merging of the self with the natural and the performative worlds. The notion that emotions can be reconciled in a purely speculative ambience speaks to the abstract and often elusive nature of understanding and expressing feelings.

"Duration of Water" ultimately reflects on the ephemeral and fluid nature of life, likening it to a piece of white silk—a symbol of purity, transformation, and the continuity of existence. Through this rich and layered poem, Berssenbrugge invites readers to reflect on the complexities of the human condition, the interplay between the individual and the collective, and the transcendent power of art to capture and communicate the depths of our emotional landscapes.

POEM TEXT: https://www.conjunctions.com/print/article/mei-mei-berssenbrugge-c6

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