Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Lamantia's poem "Other States" is an intricate and multi-layered exploration of existential dread, surrealist imagery, and metaphysical musings. The poem is characterized by a vivid and chaotic stream of consciousness that delves into themes of destruction, rebirth, and the interplay between the sacred and the profane.

The poem opens with a sense of disorientation and collapse: “Everything tilts and falls in the molochian void / a pitch of curled fingers serrates water verbs latent bowels of concrete explosions.” The “molochian void” alludes to Moloch, a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice, symbolizing a space of ultimate destruction and sacrifice. This stark imagery sets the tone for a journey through a fragmented and dystopian landscape.

Lamantia’s use of “logos Sogol another ‘god’ / and Amor / Stretched out love underground” contrasts the rational (logos) and the mystical (Amor), suggesting a hidden, subterranean aspect to love and divine truth that exists beyond surface appearances. This theme of hidden depths continues with the depiction of a world populated by “a horde of monsters cross floors beings frozen with cold fire.”

The poem intersperses mythological and historical references with surrealistic elements: “Tellurian thought turns with a gem in a baboon’s hand / Impenetrable land / dreams beyond the walls in time.” The “Tellurian thought” relates to earthly concerns, and the image of a baboon holding a gem juxtaposes the primal with the precious, indicating a tension between base instincts and higher aspirations.

As the poem progresses, Lamantia introduces a series of disjointed yet evocative scenes: “Laughter walks as a three-piece suit and baba au rhum / down to the tip of Aquarian hail.” This line blends the mundane with the fantastical, highlighting the absurdity of modern life.

The poet’s use of vivid, often jarring imagery continues: “In the madrone forest emblems petrify green footsteps at the red solar disk / time, the perfume of will-o-the-wisps.” The madrone forest and the red solar disk create a striking visual, while the reference to will-o-the-wisps, which are ghostly lights seen by travelers at night, underscores the elusive nature of time and truth.

Lamantia’s exploration of decay and rebirth is evident in lines like “the empiric fortunes by snagged processionals / and the undoing of knots by head winds circling from lightless machines.” These images suggest a world in turmoil, where traditional structures and understandings are unraveling.

The poem’s themes of destruction and regeneration are further emphasized: “It’s the eclipse of reason / the magnet ray gun lash at the apex splashed on granites in a green sleep and awake.” The “eclipse of reason” points to a breakdown in rational thought, while the imagery of a magnet ray gun and granites suggests both technological and natural elements in conflict.

Lamantia’s references to historical and mythological figures, such as Nicolas Flamel and djinns, continue to weave a complex narrative that bridges the past and present: “Nicolas Flamel at his cafe row / the rats of christianity void the gates west.” These references enrich the poem’s tapestry of meaning, adding layers of historical depth and mystical intrigue.

The poem moves towards a reflection on the cyclical nature of existence and the interplay between light and darkness: “the forest diminishes / a turn edenic at the end / wandering in a morsel of graves.” This imagery evokes the Garden of Eden and the cycle of life and death, suggesting a return to an original state of purity and potential rebirth.

Lamantia’s conclusion is a powerful blend of mysticism and existential reflection: “Swifter than hunger / Raybolt a shift of the hand / Slight out of gear / And a ringlet of buzzing sound / Speed of starlings / The Frisco of scorpions rare mirror / Of Nineteen Eighty Four.” The speed and agility of starlings symbolize fleeting moments of clarity and the rapid pace of change, while the “Frisco of scorpions” and reference to Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty Four” point to a dark, dystopian reality.

“Other States” by Philip Lamantia is a dense and evocative poem that challenges readers to navigate its surreal landscape. Through his use of rich, disjointed imagery and a blend of historical, mythological, and contemporary references, Lamantia explores the depths of human experience, the breakdown of rational structures, and the potential for rebirth and transformation amidst chaos. The poem’s complex tapestry invites readers to delve deeply into its layers, uncovering the hidden connections and truths that lie within.

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