Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Cream Hidden", Michael Thomas McClure weaves a meditative exploration of existence, drawing inspiration from lines by Rumi and delving into the paradoxical interplay between presence and absence, reality and perception. McClure's poem is an introspective journey that challenges the reader to contemplate the illusory nature of solidity and the mind's restless pursuit of meaning.

The poem opens with the evocative Rumi-inspired line: "LIKE CREAM HIDDEN IN THE SOUL OF MILK / no-place keeps coming into place." This metaphor sets the stage for a reflection on the hidden essence of existence, where profound truths reside subtly within the mundane. Cream, an element concealed in milk, symbolizes something richer and more significant than what is immediately apparent. The idea of "no-place" coming into place suggests the ephemeral nature of reality, where what seems absent is, in fact, present, waiting to be realized.

McClure places himself in this context, stating, "No-place is where I am at." This line establishes the speaker's existential position—rooted in a space that defies conventional definition. The notion of being at "no-place" embodies a philosophical dislocation, where the familiar boundaries of identity and location blur. It is an acknowledgment of a state of being that transcends tangible understanding, hinting at a deeper spiritual or metaphysical experience.

"My soil is where no toil / will upearth it" further deepens this sense of grounding in an untouchable, sacred space. Here, "soil" symbolizes the foundation of self or soul, a part of existence untouched by labor or upheaval. The line suggests a purity or untouched essence within the speaker, an inner sanctum that remains unaffected by external strife or effort.

The poem shifts to a more cosmic reflection with, "What I call heart starts breathing in the full moon / while the sun goes down in pink and blue and scarlet." The imagery of the heart breathing under the moon evokes a sense of life and movement that aligns with the cycles of nature. The sunset described in vibrant hues—pink, blue, and scarlet—paints a scene of transformation and duality, symbolizing the passage of time and the intersection of day and night, consciousness and the subconscious.

"The mind is just a harlot looking for some solid thing to bet on" is a stark, provocative line that critiques the mind's constant search for certainty. The comparison of the mind to a "harlot" implies a sense of desperation and transience, an insatiable desire to anchor itself to something tangible amid an inherently fluid reality. This reflects McClure’s exploration of the mind’s struggle to reconcile its need for stability with the ever-changing nature of existence.

"WE GO SO FAR BACK IN SO MANY STREAMERS / moving through the mindful and mindless / shapes of matter," portrays the continuity of existence, threading the human experience through countless forms and states of awareness. The "streamers" evoke images of flowing movement, suggesting the interconnectedness of all things as they traverse the realms of the conscious and unconscious. The idea that humans exist as "shapes of matter" emphasizes the fluid, ever-changing nature of identity, where consciousness itself becomes a shifting entity.

The comparison to "colloidal particles of oil in milk" serves as an extended metaphor for the subtle blending of the individual within the collective experience of life. Just as oil diffuses within milk yet remains distinct, the self is depicted as intertwined with, but not entirely dissolved into, the greater substance of reality. This reinforces the theme of hidden essence and the delicate balance between individuality and universality.

The poem culminates with a commentary on perception: "we pretend that we awake and then declare that we were dreamers / —and that we know this thing of fin and hoof and spit and steel / and that we are not puzzled by the surface of its / gleaming!" These lines capture the illusory nature of human understanding, suggesting that the conviction of awakening is itself part of an ongoing cycle of illusion. The detailed enumeration of "fin and hoof and spit and steel" grounds the poem in the physical, tangible world, yet the phrase "not puzzled by the surface of its / gleaming" hints at humanity's complacency or inability to grasp the underlying truth beyond appearances.

"Cream Hidden" is a rich, philosophical piece that questions the nature of reality and the human pursuit of meaning. Through intricate metaphors and vivid imagery, McClure challenges the reader to contemplate the layers of existence and the duality of being both grounded and transcendent. The poem invites an acknowledgment of the hidden essence within the ordinary and the acceptance of existence as an interplay of presence, illusion, and the unending search for understanding.

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