Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Hide & Seek" by Howard Nemerov is a contemplative and philosophical poem that delves into the themes of perception, reality, and the unseen forces that shape existence. Using vivid imagery and allusions to both ancient philosophy and astronomical phenomena, Nemerov explores the elusive nature of truth and the paradoxes inherent in our understanding of the universe.

The poem opens with a powerful statement about the speed and invisibility of certain entities: "They move at maximum velocity, / The sun himself has never found one out." This suggests that these entities are so fast and elusive that even the all-seeing sun cannot detect them. The sun, a symbol of clarity and revelation, is powerless against their speed and stealth.

Nemerov continues to describe these entities: "They lie to the blind side of everything; / They've never seen the light, they never will." This indicates that they exist perpetually in darkness, unseen and unknown. The phrase "blind side of everything" suggests that they occupy a realm beyond ordinary perception, hidden from both literal and metaphorical light.

The poem then references Plato's philosophy: "Who stand to Plato for the world itself / And all that in it is, such as ourselves." This allusion to Plato's theory of forms implies that these unseen entities might represent the true essence of reality, which remains hidden from the empirical world. According to Plato, the material world is only a shadow of the true, eternal forms, which are intangible and exist beyond sensory perception.

Nemerov further explores the theme of impermanence and the fleeting nature of existence: "Erased like shadows when the sun goes in / And drowned like shadows when the sun goes down." This simile underscores the transient and insubstantial nature of shadows, and by extension, the material world. Shadows disappear with the absence of light, just as human existence fades away with time.

The poem then poses a question about unity and existence: "If individuals best coalesce / Under conditions of total eclipse, / Is night their vindication or their doom, / Annihilation or communion dance?" This intriguing inquiry suggests that moments of total darkness (eclipses) might bring individuals together in a unique way. However, it remains ambiguous whether this union signifies a triumphant vindication or a final doom. The terms "annihilation" and "communion dance" highlight the duality of complete darkness—both a potential end and a merging into a greater whole.

In a reflective shift, the poem asks about the nature of darkness and cold: "And still outside of this, beyond all this, / How could the cold and dark be absolute?" This question challenges the idea of absolute nothingness, implying that even in the deepest darkness and coldest spaces, there might be more than meets the eye.

The final lines introduce a romantic perspective on the cosmos: "An explorer said the stars were moved by love— / Then what great light's black space the shadow of?" This suggests a universe driven by an underlying force of love, as posited by some philosophies and poets. The concluding question asks what immense light casts the vast darkness, implying that even the greatest voids are but shadows of an even greater, unseen illumination.

"Hide & Seek" by Howard Nemerov masterfully intertwines scientific imagery with philosophical musings, inviting readers to ponder the unseen forces and hidden realities that shape our existence. Through its rich language and profound questions, the poem explores the nature of truth, the limitations of perception, and the eternal dance between light and dark, visibility and invisibility.

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