Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Secular City: The City Does Not Die" by William Everson, dedicated to Joseph Alioto, Mayor of San Francisco, and recited at the dawn ceremonies commemorating the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, is a poignant and powerful ode to the resilience and enduring spirit of San Francisco. Everson's poem is a vivid portrayal of the city on the brink of destruction, juxtaposed with its triumphant resurgence 63 years after the catastrophic event. Through vivid imagery, Everson captures the tension, the destruction, and the eventual rebirth of San Francisco, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the unbreakable will of its inhabitants.

The poem begins with a tense night in San Francisco, where the air is "taut" and the city is alive with the natural and unnatural sounds of life and struggle. The imagery of screech-owls, tomcats in heat, and the restlessness of fire station horses sets a scene of anticipation and unease. This tension is mirrored in the human inhabitants, described in their passionate embrace, a metaphor for the city's vibrancy and life force even in the face of impending doom.

Everson masterfully uses the metaphor of the Earth as a living entity, with its geological shifts and fractures representing deep-seated pains and transformations. The "cracked bell" symbolizes the city itself, hanging precariously at the edge of the continent, awaiting the inevitable strike that would set off a cascade of destruction. This imagery is interwoven with astrological references, suggesting a cosmic interconnectedness and the influence of larger forces on the fate of the city.

As the poem progresses, Everson delves into the moment of the earthquake itself, describing the physical and emotional upheaval experienced by the city and its people. The destruction is detailed in a visceral manner, with noble mansions and sordid streets alike succumbing to the quake's fury. Yet, in this moment of despair, Everson finds a thread of hope and resilience. The poem shifts from the chaos and ruin to the communal spirit of remembrance and renewal. Sixty-three years later, the citizens of San Francisco gather to honor their past and reaffirm their commitment to their city's future.

The poem concludes on a note of defiance and affirmation. Everson rejects the fear sown by prophecies of doom, instead embracing the power of human agency and the enduring spirit of San Francisco. He invokes the symbolism of rebirth and regeneration, promising that even in the face of future calamities, the city and its people will rise again, stronger and more united. The poem becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between a city and its inhabitants.

"Secular City: The City Does Not Die" transcends a mere recounting of historical events to become a profound meditation on survival, communal strength, and the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth. Everson's use of vivid imagery, coupled with his deep reverence for the forces of nature and the cosmos, elevates the poem from a simple tribute to a powerful statement on the indomitable spirit of San Francisco. Through this poem, Everson immortalizes the resilience of a city that refuses to succumb to despair, celebrating the eternal cycle of death and renewal that defines both the human condition and the natural world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Integral_Years/OYXUpnBhUgsC?q=%22terrible+torch%22&gbpv=1&bsq=CITY%20DOES%20NOT%20DIE#f=false

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