Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Maxine Kumin?s "Progress" is a meditation on the fluidity of language, the resilience of nature, and the transformative power of perseverance. Through its multi-layered narrative, the poem intertwines disparate threads—etymology, a horse?s survival story, and cultural differences in perception—crafting a poignant exploration of growth and adaptation.

The poem opens with a reference to John Bunyan?s Pilgrim?s Progress, specifically the "Slough of Despond," which becomes a central metaphor for challenges and persistence. The narrator?s attention to pronunciation—"pronounced slew by us and by the British slou"—immediately establishes a linguistic theme, highlighting how the interpretation of words and experiences can shift depending on perspective. This nuance sets the stage for the poem?s broader examination of meaning and resilience.

The anecdote of the injured paint horse in Jackson Hole introduces a vivid, naturalistic narrative. The horse, cast out to starve after being injured, defies expectations by surviving against the odds, sustained by "pond grass" in a slough. The story is both brutal and redemptive, illustrating how even dire circumstances can lead to recovery and renewal. The horse?s transformation into a "champion cutting horse" mirrors the larger theme of progress, where persistence and adaptability can yield unexpected triumphs.

Kumin’s juxtaposition of the horse’s struggle with the linguistic detour into "megrim"—a word that originates from the French term for a migraine—underscores the interplay between language and experience. The evolution of words, like the survival of the horse, is a form of progress, though it may occur through unexpected or arduous paths. The historical and etymological layers add depth to the poem, inviting readers to consider how both language and life adapt over time.

The narrative then shifts to the classroom, where a professor simplifies English for his Japanese students by dropping articles like "the" and "a." This scene adds a cultural dimension to the poem, exploring how language can both hinder and facilitate understanding. The students? perspective on Hiroshima exemplifies the fluidity of meaning: for them, Hiroshima is not solely a symbol of destruction but also "beisbol team, / long life, Hiroshima Carp." This duality challenges readers to reconsider how historical and cultural contexts shape perception.

The mention of the "Hiroshima Carp" creates a seamless connection to the poem?s closing image of carp thriving in sloughs. These golden fish, symbols of luck and resilience in Japanese culture, embody the poem’s central themes of survival and adaptation. The carp?s ability to thrive in shallow waters reflects the capacity to find life and growth even in seemingly unremarkable or adverse conditions. Their presence in the slough ties back to the horse’s story and Bunyan’s metaphor, creating a unified vision of progress as a journey through hardship toward renewal.

Kumin’s language is precise and unadorned, yet deeply evocative. Phrases like "the boggy hollow is dark and perilous" encapsulate both the physical and metaphorical challenges of navigating difficult terrain, whether literal or linguistic. The poem’s structure, moving fluidly between anecdote, reflection, and observation, mirrors the meandering path of progress itself—a process neither linear nor predictable, but always forward-moving in its own way.

Ultimately, "Progress" is a celebration of resilience, whether in humans, animals, or language. Kumin reminds us that progress is not always grand or immediate; it is often incremental, born of persistence and adaptation in the face of adversity. The poem invites readers to find hope in the small victories—be they the survival of a horse, the thriving of carp, or the bridging of cultural divides through shared understanding. In doing so, it affirms the enduring human capacity for growth and renewal.

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