Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Coatlique" by Annie Finch is a poem that plunges into the depths of mythological symbolism, portraying the Aztec goddess Coatlicue in a moment of quiet yet profound anticipation. Coatlicue, known as the mother of gods, the earth, and the moon, is depicted here in a state of potential, waiting to unleash cosmic forces. Finch’s choice of subject and her poetic execution reflect a deep engagement with themes of creation, power, and cyclical regeneration.

 Structure

The poem is concise, comprising just a few lines, yet it encapsulates a vast narrative of mythological creation. The structure is straightforward, without stanza breaks, which allows the poem to flow continuously, mirroring the seamless and eternal cycle of night turning into day, and death turning into life, as embodied by Coatlicue.

 Form

"Coatlique" is written in free verse, which gives Finch the flexibility to craft her lines with a rhythm that feels natural and reflective, yet is imbued with a subtle tension. This tension mirrors the anticipation of creation that Coatlicue embodies. The lack of a fixed meter or rhyme scheme allows the imagery and themes to take center stage, focusing the reader’s attention on the mythological and symbolic content of the poem.

 Style

Finch’s style in this poem is marked by its vivid imagery and the use of rhetorical questions that evoke a sense of waiting and potential. The imagery of "She listens for breathing around her in the night" immediately sets a tone of attentiveness and expectancy. The description of the sleeping families "below the mountain" adds a layer of grounding, placing the divine next to the mundane, and emphasizing Coatlicue’s role as a mother not just to gods, but to all beings.

The repeated questions "When will she wake to bring the morning? When will she birth sun and stars? When will her mist give birth to the moon?" serve to heighten the anticipation of her creative powers. These questions also reflect the cyclical nature of time in Aztec mythology, where creation is not a singular event, but a continuous process.

The final line, "The skulls are breathing, as quiet in her necklace as darkness will keep them," is particularly striking. In Aztec iconography, Coatlicue is often depicted wearing a necklace made of human skulls, hearts, and hands. Here, the breathing skulls are not merely symbols of death but suggest a life force that persists even in artifacts of death, underscoring the goddess’s role as a deity of both creation and destruction.

 Thematic Concerns

Finch explores themes of power and creation through the figure of Coatlicue, who embodies the earth's ability to generate life and assert force. The poem touches on the dual aspects of creation and destruction, illustrating how both are essential to the cyclical nature of the universe. The anticipation of cosmic events in the poem—births of the sun, stars, and moon—highlights the interconnectedness of natural phenomena and divine influence.

In conclusion, "Coatlique" by Annie Finch is a compact yet rich exploration of mythological themes, rendered in a style that is both evocative and contemplative. The poem invites readers to reflect on the powerful, often overlooked moments of quiet before profound transformations, and the perpetual cycles that drive the universe.

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