Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

O. H. Kwesi Brew's poem "Search" is a reflective meditation on the nature of time, memory, and wisdom. Through symbolic imagery and a tone of gentle admonition, the poem explores the transient and elusive nature of the past, present, and future, while offering insights into the pursuit of wisdom and the value of silence. The poem encourages a mindful approach to life, suggesting that true understanding comes not from the words of others, but from the introspective lessons that life’s experiences impart.

The poem opens with a powerful metaphor: "The past / Is but the cinders / Of the present." This imagery evokes the remnants of a fire, where the past is reduced to ashes—something that once had substance and heat, but now is lifeless and cold. The cinders represent the residual memories and experiences that remain after the present has passed. The past, in this view, is not a solid foundation, but rather a fragile, ephemeral trace of what once was.

Brew continues by describing the future as "The smoke / That escaped / Into the cloud-bound sky." This metaphor emphasizes the insubstantial and elusive nature of the future. Just as smoke disperses into the sky, the future is something that cannot be grasped or held onto. It is intangible and ever-changing, disappearing into the vast, unknown expanse of time.

The poem then shifts focus to the importance of words and memories, with the speaker offering advice to their "beloved": "Be gentle, be kind my beloved / For words become memories." This line suggests that our words, once spoken, become part of the past—becoming memories that can shape how we are remembered by others. The plea for gentleness and kindness underscores the lasting impact of our words, which can linger in the minds of others long after they are spoken.

The speaker goes on to caution that "memories [are] tools / In the hands of jesters / When wise men become silent." This metaphor suggests that memories, once they become detached from the context in which they were formed, can be manipulated or misunderstood, particularly by those who do not appreciate their significance. The "jesters" are figures who may trivialize or mock the past, while the "wise men" choose silence, possibly because they recognize the futility of words in conveying deep truths. This silence is not a sign of ignorance, but of profound understanding—an understanding that transcends words.

The poem further advises against seeking wisdom in speech: "So look not for wisdom / And guidance / In their speech, my beloved." This line suggests that wisdom is not always found in the spoken words of others, especially those who may have already reached a point of understanding that cannot be easily communicated. Instead, the speaker implies that wisdom is something internal, something that must be discovered through personal experience and introspection.

The poem continues with the image of a purifying fire: "Let the same fire / Which chastened their tongues / Into silence." This fire symbolizes the experiences or realizations that have led the wise to choose silence over speech. The fire has "chastened" them, meaning it has refined or disciplined them, teaching them that some truths are beyond words. The speaker implores this fire to "Teach us—teach us!" indicating a desire for the same transformative understanding.

The final stanza brings the poem to a reflective close, with the speaker recounting an experience of revelation: "The rain came down / When you and I slept away / The night's burden of our passions." The rain here symbolizes cleansing and renewal, coming after a period of intense emotion or struggle ("the night's burden of our passions"). The rain washes away the past, allowing for clarity and insight.

The speaker then reveals that "Their new-found wisdom / In quick lightning flashes / Revealed the truth / That they had been / The slaves of fools." This metaphor of "quick lightning flashes" represents sudden, illuminating moments of understanding. The "new-found wisdom" that comes with these flashes of insight reveals a humbling truth: that even the wise had once been "the slaves of fools," suggesting that they, too, were once misled or trapped by false beliefs or misguided leaders. This realization is part of their journey to true wisdom, which is characterized by humility and a recognition of past mistakes.

"Search" by O. H. Kwesi Brew is a contemplative poem that invites readers to reflect on the nature of time, memory, and wisdom. Through its rich metaphors and introspective tone, the poem emphasizes the importance of humility, silence, and inner reflection in the pursuit of understanding. It suggests that true wisdom comes not from the words of others, but from the lessons learned through personal experience and the quiet, transformative moments of insight that life provides.

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