Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's "Brueghel: The Triumph of Time" captures the cyclical and often tumultuous journey of time as depicted in the artwork of Pieter Brueghel the Elder. Through rich, detailed imagery, Nemerov evokes the essence of Brueghel’s allegorical paintings, particularly their intricate and often chaotic depiction of human existence and the passage of time.

The poem begins by situating us within a "Flemish village and a burning city," possibly "Babylon the Great." This dual imagery of rural tranquility and urban destruction sets the stage for the exploration of time's relentless march from one state to another, from creation to decay. The phrase "bringing the Spring from Winter and any beginning to its end" underscores the cyclical nature of time, where every season and every epoch inevitably gives way to the next.

Nemerov describes a "ramshackle traveling show" that embodies the chaos and inevitability of time. This show, with its "horses of the sun and moon," suggests the passage of day and night, the fundamental rhythm of time. The imagery of these celestial bodies "stumbling on plate and bullion" emphasizes the haphazard and unsteady progress of time, indifferent to wealth and material possessions.

The centerpiece of this procession is Cronos, the god of time, who "munches a child," symbolizing the devouring nature of time, which consumes all life. The "zodiac-encircled world" bearing a tree that "blossoms half and withers half" represents the duality of existence—growth and decay, life and death—balanced precariously on the axis of time.

Following this central image, "Death on a donkey" slouches forward, his scythe a stark reminder of mortality. This image reinforces the inevitability of death as part of the procession of time. The "trumpeter angel on an elephant" at the end of the parade heralds the resurrection and the end of days, a moment of ultimate reckoning and renewal.

Underneath this allegorical parade, the remnants of human achievement lie broken: "palette and book are broken with the crowns of kings / and the instruments of music." These symbols of art, knowledge, power, and culture are crushed under the inexorable wheels of time, illustrating the futility of human endeavors against its relentless advance.

Nemerov’s final lines encapsulate the overarching theme of the poem: "intimating to our eyes / by means of many examples the Triumph of Time, / which everything that is, with everything that isn't, / as Brueghel patiently puts it down, exemplifies." Here, he acknowledges Brueghel’s meticulous portrayal of the world’s transient nature. Through his art, Brueghel demonstrates how time triumphs over all—merging existence with non-existence, and creation with destruction.

"Brueghel: The Triumph of Time" is a meditation on the inexorable and cyclical nature of time, as well as the transient nature of human achievements. Nemerov's use of vivid and allegorical imagery not only captures the essence of Brueghel’s paintings but also invites readers to reflect on their own place within the relentless march of time. The poem underscores the inevitability of change and decay, while also hinting at the possibility of renewal and resurrection within the cyclical passage of time.

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