Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost’s poem "Art" delves into the intricacies of memory, the act of creation, and the tension between personal experience and artistic expression. Through vivid imagery and reflective contemplation, the poem explores how memory and art interact, sometimes harmoniously and at other times discordantly, to shape our understanding of the past and our creative endeavors.

The poem opens with a complex portrayal of memory: "Why when she gave her memory a mother whose cruelty / was godly, / and who was beautiful, and the North African boy of / twenty / in the Paris of her youth." This introduces the idea that memory is selective and subjective, often intertwining beauty and pain. The mother’s "godly cruelty" juxtaposed with her beauty, and the boy’s youthful presence in Paris, encapsulate moments of intense, conflicting emotions and experiences.

The poem continues with the image of the boy who "tore down his fresco at the end of every day because the cement / hardened / before he could paint his red angels—Je ne sais quand, / he'd say." This act of destruction and creation highlights the impermanence and frustration inherent in the artistic process. The boy’s repeated attempts to capture his vision before the cement hardens symbolize the elusive nature of inspiration and the temporal limits of creative work.

The central question arises: "and memory knew she loved them, did it refuse to say so?" This line suggests a struggle within the speaker’s memory, where cherished moments and feelings are not fully acknowledged or articulated. The imagery of "its gorge fall, / as after swallowing, and her own mouth felt like cotton" evokes a physical reaction to this internal conflict, where the inability to express or reconcile these memories leaves a tangible, uncomfortable residue.

The desire to capture these memories through writing is strong: "She wanted to write it all down." However, the poem poses a deeper challenge: "What could tell her she / would have to forget herself, / her art, everything, and make herself stare at a lake where / a dragonfly stared / at a tree, at nothing." This contemplation suggests that true artistic creation may require a detachment from the self and personal experiences, a surrender to a larger, more universal perspective.

The dragonfly depositing its eggs in the still water and then leaving "as if it trusted or could go on without" serves as a metaphor for the creative process and the role of the artist. The dragonfly’s instinctive act of laying eggs symbolizes the natural, unselfconscious creation, trusting in the process and moving on without attachment. This image contrasts with the earlier frustration and impermanence experienced by the boy with his fresco, suggesting a different, perhaps more serene approach to art.

"Art" by Carol Frost is a profound meditation on the relationship between memory, identity, and creative expression. Through its rich and evocative imagery, the poem explores the complexities of holding onto and letting go of personal experiences in the pursuit of artistic truth. Frost’s nuanced portrayal of these themes invites readers to reflect on their own creative processes and the delicate balance between memory and imagination.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pure/GTWHVgjS-e4C?q=&gbpv=1#f=false

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