Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Passages" by Larry Eigner is a reflective and expansive poem that explores the interplay between natural phenomena and human experiences, weaving together themes of time, perception, and existence. Eigner’s poetic form, characterized by its fluid structure and evocative imagery, effectively captures the transient and often elusive nature of life’s moments.

The poem opens with "Sunlight drawing from shadow, up and down the street the dream of joy is only lightning," immediately setting a tone of contrast—light versus shadow, ephemeral happiness versus the lasting backdrop of everyday life. This imagery suggests that moments of joy are fleeting, like flashes of lightning, brilliant yet temporary against the more enduring challenges or mundanities of life.

Eigner describes these flashes of joy in the context of a broader temporal scale: "in the finale, beginnings so far from the end." This line reflects on the nonlinear nature of experiences, where endings and beginnings are distantly connected, underscoring the complex continuum of time that human lives navigate.

The mention of "the short millions of poles, clouds on the sea, the sea of human things" expands the scope to a global or universal perspective. Here, the natural elements and human activities are likened to a sea—a vast, interconnected environment where individual actions and natural events create a dynamic, ever-changing landscape.

"The leaves of men in the pure wind of the seasons falling and swaying over the world land" further emphasizes this connection between human life and nature. Leaves, typically symbols of change and impermanence, represent human lives influenced by the 'winds' of time and circumstance, suggesting a natural cycle of growth, change, and eventual decline.

The poem intensifies with "the pitch of the open night, the lightning seeming to rend and twist, the shadow to close in above the flower." This imagery portrays nature as a powerful, almost violent force, with lightning tearing through the darkness, an echo of the earlier idea that moments of clarity or enlightenment are both disruptive and transformative.

As the poem moves towards its conclusion, Eigner presents a somber realization: "the world cries out time is obliterate and man turns the false dream, missing details that man who was deafened we go to bed." This suggests a collective yearning or outcry against the erasure of time and the disillusionment that comes from realizing many dreams are unattainable. The reference to a "man who was deafened" could symbolize the inability to fully perceive or comprehend the depth of experiences or truths, leading to a retreat into rest or resignation.

The final lines, "The airs are dim aside marchings of men and after this the boulevards the grounding of arms toys, and the blinding gulls," close the poem on a note of quiet aftermath. The dimming of the air and the grounding of arms suggest a cessation of conflict or struggle, perhaps an acceptance of life’s realities. The imagery of "blinding gulls" evokes a sense of liberation or escape, albeit overwhelming, as these birds often symbolize freedom and the unattainable.

"Passages" is thus a meditation on the fleeting moments of life, the perpetual cycle of beginnings and endings, and the profound yet often unnoticed impact of the natural world on human consciousness. Through his distinctive poetic voice, Eigner invites readers to reflect on the beauty and brutality of the natural cycle and the ways in which human lives are intricately woven into this tapestry.

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