Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"New Mexican Landscape" by William Everson explores the profound impact of the landscape on the human spirit, contrasting the stark, barren beauty of New Mexico with the lush, vibrant growth of a more temperate climate. Through this vivid juxtaposition, Everson delves into themes of alienation, belonging, and the intrinsic human need for connection, both to the land and to each other.

The poem begins with a journey "north through a country screened by the dark," a setting off into the unknown that is both literal and metaphorical. The darkness that surrounds the travelers is pierced only by their headlights, creating a sense of isolation and anticipation. As dawn breaks, the landscape reveals itself in all its starkness: "mile beyond mile the confusion and maze of the ridges," a vast expanse that stretches beyond the limits of sight. The "Blue-gray and somber" hues of the landscape convey a sense of desolation, emphasizing the stark difference from the lush greenery the speaker is accustomed to.

Everson contrasts this with the memory of a homeland "loaded with growth," where nature is abundant and life flourishes. The imagery of "the green blazes of foliage" and "the ocean of vineyards" evokes a sense of richness and vitality, a stark contrast to the "wind of New Mexican beauty" that chills the speaker. This homeland, where "farmhouses float" and "orchards lift their dark hills," represents not just a physical place but a sense of belonging and comfort.

The speaker's response to the New Mexican landscape is complex. While there is an appreciation for the beauty of nature, even in its most desolate forms, there is also an underlying longing for the familiar, for a landscape that offers warmth and sustenance. The speaker admits to "worshiping nature for God" yet also acknowledges a yearning for "the warmth of his kind" and "the rich fields shaped to the human need." This highlights a fundamental aspect of the human condition: the need for connection, not just to the natural world but to a community and a way of life that feels nurturing and supportive.

Everson captures the tension between the desire for independence and the need for belonging, describing the speaker as "more sheep than falcon." This metaphor underscores the instinct to seek shelter and companionship, "the huddle at twilight," even when part of us yearns to soar alone. The landscape of New Mexico, with its "wind" and "naked and lonely" beauty, becomes a catalyst for this introspection, prompting the speaker to confront their own vulnerabilities and desires.

"New Mexican Landscape" is a poignant meditation on the relationship between humans and their environment, exploring how the landscapes we inhabit shape our identities and our connections to the world around us. Through Everson's evocative imagery and reflective tone, the poem invites readers to consider their own places of belonging and the landscapes that call to their hearts.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Residual_Years/JeBX8LZrdr8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22They+came+out+of+the+sun+undetected%22by+WILLIAM+EVERSON&pg=PA120&printsec=frontcover

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