Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Argument Over, Amounting" by Clark Coolidge is a dense and enigmatic poem that delves into themes of communication, miscommunication, and the complexities of human interaction. Through a fragmented and abstract language, Coolidge creates a landscape of thought and emotion that is both challenging and evocative. The poem, dedicated "after Diane Ward," hints at an influence or dialogue with the poet, suggesting a layer of intertextuality or homage.

The poem opens with the notion of "edges, in barriers" and the "tonal light," immediately setting a tone of division and separation, where light—often a symbol of understanding or clarity—is modulated or obstructed by boundaries. This imagery sets the stage for a exploration of how communication is filtered, altered, or obstructed by the layers between individuals.

The phrase "the one thing removed overemphasizes tonally" suggests that the absence or removal of an element can distort or amplify the remaining aspects of a situation or conversation. This could reflect on how omission or silence in communication can lead to misunderstanding or overinterpretation.

Coolidge's use of phrases like "you could hurry it, and it vanish and plan" and "you go out on an avenue, but may be taken in despite / your chordal list of hates" conveys the fluid and often unpredictable nature of interactions and perceptions. There's a sense that engagement with the world and others is contingent, filled with potential for both connection and disconnection.

The transition to "Then the I not part of the you equation" shifts the focus to the individual's experience of isolation or alienation within the context of dialogue or relationship. The image of the spider "trying to build where it is written / vibrates tentative" encapsulates the effort to create or communicate in an environment that is unstable or ephemeral.

The speaker's declaration "I don’t want to talk to you about it anymore" marks a point of resignation or fatigue, a desire to withdraw from a discourse that is fraught with "failures." Yet, the poem suggests that despite this weariness, the impulse to communicate or connect ("it’s imperative, abrupt catch") persists, even as words and meanings "fail to tie audibly retire."

The concluding lines, "I am hopefully / this is position / of the world overcome by / and by the wind takes our voice / the collateral one voice," resonate with a sense of tentative hope or aspiration, albeit one that acknowledges the challenges of being understood or truly hearing one another. The image of the wind taking "our voice" underscores the transient and fragile nature of communication, the idea that what we express is ultimately subject to forces beyond our control.

"Argument Over, Amounting" is a reflection on the complexities of communication, the barriers that obstruct our understanding, and the elusive nature of connection. Coolidge's abstract and fragmented style mirrors the subject matter, presenting the reader with a poem that requires engagement and contemplation to navigate its depths. The dedication to Diane Ward suggests a layer of personal or poetic dialogue, adding another dimension to the poem's exploration of communication and miscommunication.

POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/55441/argument-over-amounting

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