Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Richard Hugo's poem "Politely Like Snakes in the Oats" is a richly layered meditation on the nature of art, labor, and the haunting persistence of memory and history. Hugo's characteristic blend of vivid imagery and reflective tone creates a piece that delves into the complexities of human experience, where the simplicity of life is juxtaposed with the burden of artistic and historical consciousness.

The poem opens with a question that immediately introduces a theme of underappreciation: "Who appreciates the fingers cramped from effort, or the water shocked by sound / to rise and live in oblique beds?" This line evokes the physical toil involved in farming, a labor that goes unnoticed and unappreciated by most. The "fingers cramped from effort" and "water shocked by sound" are symbols of the quiet, everyday struggles that are often overlooked. The mention of "oblique beds" suggests something off-kilter or not quite straightforward, hinting at the complexities and subtleties that underlie even the most mundane aspects of life.

Hugo then contrasts this lack of appreciation for the labor of farming with a more romanticized view: "Who appreciates a farm for simple reasons: food, the female green of lettuce rows, the sharp red of a beet against the brown dirt or a yellow pan?" Here, he presents an idealized image of the farm, where the vibrant colors of nature are celebrated for their aesthetic beauty. Yet, the question "Who is stunned by raw simplicity?" implies that few people are truly moved by these simple, elemental aspects of life. The "statue of a saint" that is "derelict in wind" becomes a metaphor for the way in which such simplicity and reverence have been abandoned, left to weather and decay.

The poem then takes a broader perspective, considering the role of history and culture in shaping our understanding of monuments and art. Hugo describes "cliffs that could be English in a song but are American," highlighting the way in which landscapes are imbued with cultural significance. The "sea that clowned for centuries to be this blue" suggests the way in which nature itself can be seen as performing, or attempting to live up to certain expectations imposed by human perception. The "State" that "decides what monuments will outlive words and weather" introduces the idea of power and authority in determining what is remembered and preserved, and what is allowed to fade away.

Hugo's reflection on "Talent" as something that "comes to know all words as freaks" adds a layer of existential angst to the poem. The idea that words are "freaks" suggests a deep-seated dissatisfaction with language and its limitations, a recognition that art, no matter how skilled, is always an imperfect attempt to capture the essence of experience. The lifelong search for a "cure, a special oil, a new drug" to "shake the memory" hints at the artist's struggle with the weight of history and personal memory, a burden that cannot be easily discarded. The vivid, almost surreal image of "parricide in the aviary"—a symbol of violence and betrayal in a place of supposed peace and beauty—underscores the internal turmoil and conflict that accompany this search.

The poem's central metaphor of "caves" as a "primitive escape" symbolizes a retreat from the complexities and failures of the external world. The "snakey thought that art is always failure" introduces a note of bitter resignation, suggesting that the artist is continually confronted with the inadequacy of their creations. This thought "stings politely," indicating that it is a subtle, persistent discomfort rather than an overt pain.

Hugo concludes the poem with a reflection on the enduring power of monuments, using the example of the pyramids. Though criticized by "liberals and saints" who are disturbed by the image of a "slave dying as he climbs," the pyramids remain a testament to human ambition and the desire for permanence. The "geometry in sky" contrasts with the "distant hum of bombers" that "only makes a camel want to sleep," suggesting a shift from the grand, enduring projects of the past to the fleeting, destructive impulses of the present. The pyramids, with their "elegant" weathered stone that seems to have "skin," represent a kind of artistic achievement that, despite its origins in suffering, has transcended time and continues to convey a sense of meaning and purpose.

"Politely Like Snakes in the Oats" is a complex and nuanced exploration of the intersections between art, labor, memory, and history. Hugo's use of rich imagery and layered metaphors invites the reader to consider the ways in which we engage with the world—both in the simplicity of everyday life and in the grand narratives of history and culture. The poem suggests that, despite the inherent failures and limitations of art and language, there is still value in the attempt to create, to remember, and to find meaning in the traces left behind by those who have come before us.

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