Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Royal" by Joshua Clover is a poem that merges the virtual with the tangible, exploring themes of observation, intimacy, and the constraints of narrative and societal norms. It opens with imagery of animals moving across a screen, suggesting a detachment and digitization of natural experiences. This scene is likened to a "computer simulation," highlighting how modern technology mediates our understanding and engagement with the world around us.

The poem subtly shifts into a more intimate setting—"this was the only room where we undressed"—tying the act of watching to the act of unveiling, both physically and metaphorically. The mention of "plot" implies that these actions are part of a larger narrative or expectation, perhaps commenting on the roles and scripts we unconsciously adhere to in our lives and relationships.

As the animals on the screen move "across the room but it was not happening to us," the speaker underscores a sense of separation and disconnection from the natural world, mirrored in the personal disconnection between the individuals in the room. The poem then delves into themes of control and submission, with references to handcuffs and the story, suggesting the power dynamics at play not only in personal relationships but also in how we consume and are affected by media.

The brain, described as "a bloody spring or electric wire wrapped in ripe gray gauze," serves as a metaphor for the complexity and vulnerability of human thought and emotion, further complicated by the external stimuli of speed, music, and the blue light of the screen. These elements contribute to the formation of a narrative that is both constrained and distorted by societal expectations ("the Laws prefigured in the neural network's burning thicket").

The repetition of "they moved across the screen howling but the sound turned down" evokes a sense of muted urgency or suppressed natural instinct, paralleling the silenced or unexpressed desires and tensions within the room. The poem concludes with a contemplation of identity and obligation—"the Thou & the shalt & the not"—pointing to the internalization of moral and social codes that govern behavior and relationships.

Through its layered imagery and complex themes, "Royal" invites readers to reflect on the ways in which our perceptions of self and others are shaped by the narratives we consume and the roles we are expected to play. It is a meditation on the interplay between the natural and the constructed, the seen and the unseen, the said and the unsaid, challenging us to question the authenticity of our experiences in a mediated world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/54695/royal

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