Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Lamantia’s poem “American Place” weaves a complex tapestry of cultural references, historical allusions, and surreal imagery to explore themes of identity, creativity, and the intertwining of past and present. Through his characteristic stream-of-consciousness style, Lamantia presents a vision of America that is both critical and celebratory, highlighting the country’s diverse influences and the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.

The poem begins with a vivid memory: “To have heard Moon Dog on a corner in Manhattan / visage and sounds of Moon Dog / in a video of the imaginary assault on ‘reasonable solutions.’” Moon Dog, the iconic street musician known for his eccentric appearance and music, serves as a symbol of artistic freedom and defiance. His presence in Manhattan—a hub of cultural convergence—sets the stage for a critique of conventional thinking, as his “imaginary assault on ‘reasonable solutions’” challenges the status quo.

Lamantia then juxtaposes ancient and modern elements: “awakens the fool-proof diagram of antique script defying computer printouts / fungi eroding metal.” Here, he contrasts the permanence of ancient scripts with the transient nature of modern technology, symbolized by the “fungi eroding metal.” This imagery suggests a return to primal wisdom and a questioning of technological progress.

The mention of “Hope the Glimmer Goddess at the platform of hieratic beings / moving in the landscape” introduces a mythological dimension. This goddess, representing hope and enlightenment, interacts with “hieratic beings,” evoking a sense of sacredness in the natural world. The exchange of fruits “into primeval gold” symbolizes a return to a golden age, an idealized state of purity and abundance.

Lamantia’s critique of contemporary culture continues with “milking the Babylonian computer games / shreds of lowgrade diphthongs / shady political pits only the doggerel mongers eat.” These lines highlight the superficiality and corruption he perceives in modern society, likening it to ancient Babylon, a symbol of decadence and moral decline.

The poem’s focus shifts to existential questions: “the mall people conjecture / ‘Are there other lives?’” This line captures the alienation and curiosity of people living in a consumer-driven society, pondering the existence of other realities or dimensions beyond their mundane experiences.

Lamantia invokes literary and artistic figures to ground his musings in a broader cultural context: “In the myth of Rimbaud the living live on in the living / sons of Arto / and the companions, navigate, navigator— gold!” Here, he celebrates the enduring influence of poets like Rimbaud and their capacity to inspire new generations. The invocation of seers and poets like Poe, Whitman, Breton, Rimbaud, Blake, alongside musicians like Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker, underscores the poem’s theme of artistic continuity and the cross-pollination of ideas across different eras and mediums.

The poem’s middle section blends surreal and apocalyptic imagery: “into the woods with binoculars / five minutes before oblivion / A dance a sacral dance a blend of harmonies baked by igniting redwood trees.” This passage evokes a sense of impending doom tempered by the beauty and ritual of a “sacral dance,” suggesting a simultaneous destruction and renewal. The reference to “a boogie a wandering minstrel show of the Plague Victims” highlights the cyclical nature of history and the resilience of human creativity even in times of crisis.

Lamantia concludes with a reflection on historical continuity and transformation: “Before the eighteenth century / there’s a furnace coiling at Ypres / On the Natchez Trace there’s the spirit of the / beatific Chickasaw.” These lines bridge past and present, linking historical events like the battles at Ypres with the spiritual presence of indigenous cultures like the Chickasaw. The invocation of listening with the “left side” and the “bridge to the right brain” suggests a holistic approach to understanding and navigating the complexities of modern life.

“American Place” is a multifaceted exploration of the cultural and historical currents that shape the American experience. Through his dense and allusive language, Philip Lamantia invites readers to engage with the interplay of tradition and innovation, the sacred and the profane, and the eternal quest for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression to capture and transform the zeitgeist, offering a vision of America that is both critical and hopeful, grounded in the past yet reaching towards the future.

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