Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's "On Being Asked for a Peace Poem" offers a satirical and self-reflective examination of the poet's role in addressing societal issues, specifically the Vietnam War. Through a mix of humor and irony, Nemerov critiques the sometimes grandiose expectations placed on poets and the often inflated self-perception of their influence on global matters.

The poem begins by introducing "Joe Blow the poet," a representative figure of the everyman poet, who sits "before the console of the giant instrument / That mediates his spirit to the world." This imagery sets the stage for the poet’s attempt to connect his inner creative spirit with the external world, symbolizing the complex relationship between personal expression and public impact.

Nemerov describes Joe Blow's nervous anticipation as he prepares to write his peace poem. The poet "flexes his fingers nervously" and plays "a few scale passages," evoking the image of a musician tuning his instrument before a performance. This metaphor suggests that poetry, like music, requires both technical skill and emotional readiness. The line "(Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?)" humorously references Shakespeare, hinting at the pressure to match the greatness of past poets while simultaneously mocking the poet's self-consciousness and the tendency to fall back on well-worn phrases.

The poet's resolution to write "his poem about the War in Vietnam" is framed as "a sacred obligation." Nemerov satirizes the idea that a single poem could wield the "immense leverage of art" to end a war, drawing parallels to historical and fictional examples where poets supposedly influenced major events. The references to Homer, Wordsworth, and Yevtushenko underscore the absurdity of this notion, as Nemerov sarcastically suggests that reading the Iliad, for instance, could have ended the Trojan War.

The poet imagines grandiose outcomes for his work: winning the Nobel Prize, delivering a lecture to the Security Council, and seeing his poem featured on television. These fantasies highlight the often unrealistic expectations poets (and society) place on the power of poetry. The humor lies in the juxtaposition of these lofty ambitions with the poet's actual struggle to come up with "a good first line."

Nemerov captures the poet’s creative struggle with the line, "though he thought that for so great / A theme it would be right to start with O." The idea of starting with an "O" is both a nod to the grandiose beginnings of epic poetry and a playful critique of the poet's uncertainty and lack of inspiration. The poet's invocation of "the Muse / Polyhymnia of Sacred Song" adds another layer of irony, as he calls upon the muse associated with sacred hymns and serious poetry, while his efforts are tinged with self-importance and absurdity.

The poem’s structure and tone effectively convey the tension between the poet’s earnest intentions and the satirical portrayal of their limitations. Nemerov uses humor to critique the idea that poetry can directly effect political change, while also reflecting on the poet’s sincere desire to contribute meaningfully to societal issues.

"On Being Asked for a Peace Poem" by Howard Nemerov is a witty and incisive commentary on the expectations placed on poets to address significant social and political issues. Through its playful use of language and imagery, the poem highlights the gap between the lofty aspirations of poets and the often modest reality of their influence. Nemerov’s work invites readers to reflect on the role of art in society, the limitations of individual impact, and the enduring human desire to make a difference through creative expression.

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