Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Man Who Rode Away," Lawrence Ferlinghetti pays homage to D.H. Lawrence, blending admiration, imagery, and symbolism to capture the spirit of the English writer who sought solace in the landscapes of Taos, New Mexico. The poem is an exploration of Lawrence's legacy and ideals, reflecting on how his desire for freedom and authenticity conflicted with the restrictive forces of society.

The poem begins with the speaker standing "Above Taos now / I peer through the crack / of your locked door." This image immediately establishes a sense of voyeurism, as the speaker looks into the private world of "Dead Lawrence." The locked door symbolizes the boundary between the public and private spheres, and "Dead Lawrence" represents D.H. Lawrence's physical absence but enduring presence.

Ferlinghetti notes that "they’ve got you now at last / safely stashed away / locked away from the light / of your dear sun." This suggests that Lawrence's rebellious spirit has been confined posthumously in a "weird great dark / of your little shuttered shrine." Here, Ferlinghetti captures the irony of Lawrence's legacy being commodified and entombed, despite his love for the "light / of your dear sun."

The image of Lawrence's "old portable / clenched like a jaw upon / dumb keys" evokes a typewriter frozen in time, unable to speak. The "dumb keys" and "teeth sans tongue / as in a mute mask / of a Greek megaphone" emphasize Lawrence's silence, transforming his typewriter into a relic. Ferlinghetti mourns that "the soul has its rages / dampered! / in darkness / shrine locked."

He continues with a striking metaphor: "booby-trapped for burglars – / plumed serpent stoned / into a gargoyle!" This line blends cultural references, portraying Lawrence's spirit as a "plumed serpent," a symbol of creativity and freedom, which has been reduced to a grotesque "gargoyle," stripped of its vitality.

The poem shifts into an invocation of Lawrence: "Lawrence Lawrence bearded David / Phoenix flamed / out of a mine-=head / ash to ash." Here, Ferlinghetti acknowledges Lawrence's transformative power, likening him to a "bearded David," a youthful and rebellious figure, and a "Phoenix flamed" who rose from the ashes of industrial England to find new life in America.

"Sown in Venice / and resown in America (del norte)" underscores Lawrence's international influence, while "Where now / here now / your portable seed / has blown away" suggests that his legacy is no longer confined to a single place or time. "Other seeds are growing / Not yours" recognizes that while Lawrence's influence endures, new voices have emerged.

The poem then transports us to Lawrence's cabin in Taos, where "Lawrence now I see you come alone / from your cribbed cabin / all fenced in the backyard compound / of that big caretaker’s house." The image of Lawrence "fenced in" conveys his desire for freedom amid societal constraints.

Ferlinghetti captures a poignant moment: "You stand still a moment in the still air." This pause reflects Lawrence's contemplation and connection to the landscape. His "eyes have a Mexican look / turned South / over the arroyos / ahora y siempre," revealing Lawrence's affinity for the culture and spirit of Mexico.

The mention of "Winter is coming / You have your ticket" implies Lawrence's imminent departure, while the details "blue denim jacket," "crazy Stetson," and "tin phoenix tacked to a tree / drops in a giftshop window" evoke his iconic style and enduring influence. The "tin phoenix" symbolizes Lawrence's transformative legacy, which persists in unexpected places.

In the final lines, "A mistral wind / rattles the pine needles / of your bones," Ferlinghetti uses the image of a strong wind to convey both the natural forces that shaped Lawrence's life and the fragility of his legacy. The rattling "pine needles / of your bones" suggests that Lawrence's spirit still resonates in the landscapes he loved.

Overall, "Man Who Rode Away" is a poignant tribute to D.H. Lawrence, exploring the tension between his desire for freedom and the forces that sought to confine him. Ferlinghetti's use of vivid imagery and symbolism creates a layered reflection on Lawrence's legacy, capturing the enduring spirit of a writer who sought to transcend societal norms and find a more authentic way of living.

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