Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Christmas Morning" captures the paradoxical nature of the holiday, juxtaposing the warmth and anticipation of Christmas morning with the stark reality of commercialism and societal disarray. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Nemerov explores themes of innocence, consumerism, and the enduring yet often compromised spirit of Christmas.

The poem begins with a personal, intimate moment: "I snuggle down under the electric blanket / Turned onto high, and sneak a look at the dawn." This cozy scene sets a tranquil mood, as the speaker finds comfort in the warmth of the blanket and the quiet of early morning. The "one pure fire of a sinking star / Over the gray snow blanketing the lawn" introduces a sense of awe and purity, a fleeting glimpse of beauty in the cold dawn.

However, this serene moment is quickly contrasted with the bustling activity downstairs: "The children are early out of bed, ready / To tear the wrappings from the usual junk." Here, Nemerov critiques the commercialization of Christmas, where "helpless love became commodity." The phrase suggests a sense of resignation and disillusionment, as the true meaning of Christmas is obscured by the frenzy of gift-giving and materialism.

The poem then shifts its focus to a broader societal critique. The "lit-up creche before the Baptist Church" is described as "lapped in filthy snow, its figures stained / And leaning at a hazard." This imagery portrays the nativity scene as neglected and tainted, symbolizing the disconnect between the sacred and the profane in contemporary society. The figures in the creche, "stained and leaning," reflect the wear and tear of time and neglect, underscoring the fragility of religious symbols in a world preoccupied with superficial concerns.

Nemerov further emphasizes this disconnect by contrasting the "life-size plastic toy machineguns" with the serene yet artificial "whitened village on the greeting card / Sent by the Bank." The toy machineguns represent the troubling intersection of innocence and violence, where even "a moment's happiness / Depends" on these unsettling gifts. The greeting card's idyllic village, sponsored by a bank, epitomizes the commodification of Christmas imagery, masking the harsh realities beneath a veneer of cheer.

The poem concludes with a striking and disturbing image: "the alien priest / Who drenches his white robes in gasoline / And blazes merrily in the snowy East." This final scene starkly contrasts with the earlier images of warmth and traditional holiday cheer, introducing a note of radical and destructive rebellion. The "alien priest" symbolizes an extreme response to the pervasive commercialization and superficiality of the holiday season, highlighting the tension between sacred traditions and modern disillusionment.

In "Christmas Morning," Howard Nemerov masterfully blends personal reflection with societal critique, using the lens of Christmas to explore broader themes of innocence, materialism, and the erosion of spiritual values. Through vivid and sometimes jarring imagery, the poem invites readers to reconsider the true meaning of the holiday and reflect on the ways in which contemporary practices have diverged from its sacred origins.

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