Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Book of Days 19" by Martha Collins presents a stark juxtaposition between the mundane act of observing a building and the profound horror of human atrocities. Through this contrast, Collins explores themes of violence, guilt, morality, and the personal reckoning with the broader context of human suffering. The poem oscillates between personal reflection and the recounting of brutal acts, prompting a deep meditation on the nature of evil and the capacity for redemption.

The opening lines, "The facade of the building across the yard / has forty windows, a calendar page / for Lent, with measured days --," establish a sense of order and routine, invoking the ritualistic period of Lent as a time of reflection and penance. This imagery of windows as days on a calendar suggests a counting of time, an anticipation of redemption or revelation.

However, the poem quickly shifts to recount horrific acts of violence in Guatemala and Europe, detailing acts of mutilation and cannibalism with a clinical detachment that heightens the shock and horror of these deeds. "In Guatemala, they cut out the tongues, / they cut the soles of the feet in pieces, / they burned the bodies in living piles." And in Europe, a gruesome act of murder and desecration is described. These instances are presented not as anomalies but as reflections on the capacity for cruelty within humanity.

Collins asserts, "This is not inhuman. / This is not nature, discarding." These lines challenge the reader to confront the reality that such acts of violence are not aberrations from human nature but emanations of it. The denial of these actions being "inhuman" forces a confrontation with the darkness that resides within the human condition, a refusal to externalize evil as something other than human.

The mention of a sign on someone's desk, "* You can do no wrong *", juxtaposed against the recounted atrocities, serves as a poignant commentary on the denial or absolution of responsibility. This sentiment, whether meant ironically or earnestly, raises questions about moral relativism and the justification of actions in the face of individual or societal judgments of right and wrong.

The poem concludes with a return to the personal, "Here is my building, here are my windows, / here are my days, my prayers, my penance, / my breath, my unburned sins, my undone loves." This reflection brings the narrative from the global and historical back to the individual, suggesting a search for redemption or understanding within the confines of one's life. The references to "unburned sins" and "undone loves" speak to a sense of incompleteness, a yearning for resolution or absolution that may never fully arrive.

"Book of Days 19" is a profound meditation on the juxtaposition of personal mundanity against the backdrop of global violence and suffering. Collins navigates the complexities of confronting human capacity for cruelty while searching for meaning and morality within the personal sphere. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own complicity, forgiveness, and the struggle to find peace in a world marked by both beauty and brutality. Through its stark imagery and thoughtful contemplation, "Book of Days 19" offers a poignant exploration of the human condition, challenging us to confront the darkest aspects of ourselves and society.

POEM TEXT: https://capa.conncoll.edu/collins.space.htm#DAYS

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