Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Wave" by Barbara Guest is a meditation on the fluidity and unpredictability of the ocean, as well as a metaphor for the emotional and existential currents that shape human experience. The poem is structured in a way that mirrors the ebb and flow of a wave, with its shifting imagery and rhythm evoking the constant movement and transformation of the sea.

The poem opens with the simple, declarative "And preparing a net / Wave / whose arm is green," immediately immersing the reader in the oceanic setting. The use of "Wave" as a subject imbues the ocean with a sense of agency and personality, as if it is an active participant in the narrative. The "green arm" of the wave suggests both the physicality of the sea and its connection to the natural world.

Guest's imagery is vivid and evocative, as seen in the line "your / half-wayness I, too, would meet you there / in foam." This notion of "half-wayness" speaks to the transient nature of the wave, existing in a state of perpetual motion between creation and dissolution. The foam represents the ephemeral beauty of this moment, a meeting point between the solid and the liquid, the temporary and the eternal.

The poem's structure reflects the movement of a wave, with lines that ebb and flow, rise and fall. This is evident in the fragmented, cascading lines such as "Borders / the rip slices turns / backwards / swimmers this treachery is cast by mirrors." The use of enjambment and irregular line breaks creates a sense of fluidity and disorientation, much like the experience of being caught in the surf.

Guest explores the idea of reflection and multiplicity with "mirrors once in profile only this multiplied." This suggests the way waves can reflect and distort, creating multiple images and layers of meaning. The wave's "arrow backstroke sent to bliss" captures the dual nature of the ocean—both a source of joy and a force of treachery.

The poem shifts to a broader, more philosophical perspective with lines like "space now azure fullest where the depth is danger / long roll." Here, the ocean is presented as a vast, almost limitless expanse, where beauty and peril coexist. The "equinoctal plunge" evokes a sense of seasonal change and natural cycles, reinforcing the theme of constant transformation.

Guest's language is rich and sensory, as seen in "Tritons' throng appears / where zephyrs / cast skyward by the spume." The reference to Tritons and zephyrs draws on classical mythology, linking the ocean to ancient stories and symbols. The "spume" and "phosphorescence" add a tactile, luminous quality to the imagery, enhancing the sensory experience of the poem.

The poem also delves into the interplay between light and darkness, day and night. The "Sun / multipowered it brushes thins and splays / burns" captures the intense, all-encompassing presence of the sun, while the "angry Noon / the crab walks / Night / small fish / Rock and dawn" transitions to a more subdued, introspective mood.

Guest's exploration of sleep and dreams further blurs the line between reality and imagination. Lines like "we turn on house pillow and let dolphins surmise us (dreams)" suggest a merging of the conscious and subconscious, the domestic and the wild. The "lap of shore water enter our heads" evokes a sense of the sea infiltrating and shaping our inner worlds.

The poem concludes with a poignant reflection on the relationship between the individual and the natural world. "I would walk from this porch to your farthest do I dare" expresses a yearning for connection and understanding, tempered by fear and uncertainty. The "house is ghosty" and the "pier is broken" convey a sense of abandonment and loss, while the resilient imagery of "pines that are green and sea that is swelling" suggests renewal and continuity.

In "Wave," Barbara Guest masterfully intertwines the physical and metaphorical, the natural and the human, creating a rich, layered meditation on the fluid, ever-changing nature of existence. The poem captures the beauty, mystery, and danger of the ocean, reflecting the complex, dynamic currents of human emotion and experience.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...