Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Evening News 2" by David Ferry is a complex and layered poem that delves into the themes of disconnection, confusion, and the blurred lines between reality and representation. The imagery and narrative flow evoke a sense of disorientation and existential questioning, reflective of the media's portrayal of events and the public's reception and interpretation of these broadcasts.

The poem opens with "The face looking into the room; / Behind it light, shaking, like heat / Lightning; the face calm and knowing." This imagery sets a tone of juxtaposition between the external appearance of calm and the underlying turmoil represented by the shaking light. The "calm and knowing" face that looks into the room could symbolize the face of a news broadcaster, presenting a serene demeanor while behind them, the backdrop of chaotic global events flickers like "heat lightning"—visible yet distant, potentially dangerous yet seemingly benign.

"Seeing, but not seeing who I am;" reflects a one-sided interaction typical of consuming news. The broadcaster sees into the homes of viewers but does not see the individuals; there is no reciprocal recognition. This line emphasizes the isolation and impersonality of receiving news through media, a passive and one-way exchange where the viewer remains anonymous and detached.

The next lines, "The mouth may be telling something. / Something about our helplessness; / Something about the confusions of beasts;" hint at the content of the news being delivered. It speaks to a sense of universal vulnerability ("our helplessness"), perhaps in the face of natural or man-made calamities, and the instinctual confusion that can arise in chaotic times, likening human reactions to those of "beasts."

The imagery intensifies with "The consequence of error; systems / Haywire, or working; the stars gone / All wrong in the body's courses." These phrases suggest a broader contemplation of failure—either technological or human—and a cosmic disorder mirrored in human affairs. The reference to "the stars gone / All wrong in the body's courses" could metaphorically imply a loss of navigation or guidance, both literally in the skies and figuratively in human lives.

Ferry then transitions to a more surreal and metaphorical scene: "Out on the plain of Mars, brilliantly / Played under the lights, searched out / Beyond any answer, the game went on / Far into the night; the bloodiest came / Home from the battle seeking the prize." This passage could be visualizing a fictional or metaphorical battle, possibly representing the relentless, often futile struggles of humanity (played out "under the lights" of media scrutiny), where even the victors ("the bloodiest") are merely participants in a larger, endless "game."

The poem concludes with powerful and troubling images of disgrace and voyeurism: "The women were disgraced; hair streaming, / Pleading into the staring; buy, buy— / Was it my daughter I was seeing?— / The humiliation was pleasing: tears, / Laughter, smiles, all mingled together." This passage reflects the consumption of personal tragedies as media spectacle, where viewers are simultaneously repulsed and captivated ("The humiliation was pleasing"), blurring the lines between empathy and entertainment.

Finally, "The light swallowed itself, a balloon / Deflating; somewhere in the blackness / A murmuring let itself go." This imagery captures the fading impact of the news once it is over—the light of the broadcast dims, leaving viewers in the darkness, with only the residual murmurs of what was seen and heard, echoing the ephemeral and often superficial nature of news consumption.

"Evening News 2" by David Ferry poetically critiques the way news media can distort and dramatize reality, impacting viewers' perceptions and emotions. It explores the dehumanization and desensitization inherent in the modern experience of global events through screens, highlighting the complex interplay of knowledge, ignorance, and the spectacle.

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