Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Backward Look" draws on themes of space exploration, existential reflection, and the cyclical nature of human endeavor. By referencing Dante’s celestial journey and juxtaposing it with the modern experience of space travel, Nemerov explores the disillusionment and profound realizations that come with reaching what was once considered the ultimate frontier. The poem contrasts the romanticism of celestial aspiration with the stark realities of space and human nature.

The opening lines establish a parallel with Dante's vision in heaven, where he looks back at Earth from a place of supreme happiness and certainty. This classical allusion sets the stage for Nemerov's contemporary reflection: "As once in heaven Dante looked back down / From happiness and highest certainty / To see afar the little threshing floor / That makes us be so fierce, so we look now." Just as Dante viewed the trivial struggles of Earth from the heights of heaven, modern astronauts and observers look back from the barren moon, noting the differences from their "stony place."

Nemerov's depiction of the moon as a "sterile satellite with nothing to do" underscores the desolate and lifeless reality of space, in stark contrast to the dynamic and chaotic nature of Earth. The mention of "no matter the miracles that brought us here" acknowledges the incredible technological achievements of space travel, yet these miracles pale in comparison to the existential void and boredom encountered on the moon.

The poem then critiques the trivialities that humanity brings into space: "Even the immense power / Of being bored we brought with us from home / As we brought all things else, even the golf / Balls and the air." This highlights the absurdity of human habits and preoccupations, even in the context of such a monumental endeavor. The image of leaving a flag in a desert serves as a metaphor for the symbolic but ultimately superficial gestures of conquest and presence.

Nemerov shifts the perspective to the prayers and longings that once directed us towards the heavens: "From earth we prayed to heaven; being now / In heaven, we reverse the former prayer." This reversal signifies a profound shift in perspective—having reached the celestial realm, humanity now longs for the familiar, flawed, and life-sustaining Earth. The prayer for a safe return encapsulates a deep yearning for the fundamental aspects of earthly existence: "Earth of the cemeteries and cloudy seas, / Our small blue agate in the big black bag, / Earth mother of us, where we make our death."

The invocation of the "old man" knocking on the Earth with his staff, pleading "Leve moder, let me in," brings a poignant, almost mythic quality to the poem. It represents humanity’s plea to be accepted back into the natural cycle of life and death, away from the sterile expanse of space.

The final lines reflect a humble plea for return to the elemental and familiar: "Hold us your voyagers safe in the hand / Of mathematics, grant us safe return / To where the food is, and the fertile dung, / To generation, death, decay; to war, / Gossip and beer, and bed whether warm or cold." These lines underscore the intrinsic human need for community, sustenance, and the full spectrum of earthly experiences, despite their imperfections.

Nemerov concludes with a nod to the cyclical nature of exploration and return: "As from the heaven of technology / We take our dust and rocks and start back down." This ending brings the poem full circle, emphasizing the ongoing human quest for meaning and the eventual realization that what we seek may ultimately be found in the very place we started from.

"Backward Look" is a profound meditation on the human condition, the illusions of progress, and the ultimate realization that our deepest needs and connections lie within the familiar bounds of Earth. Through rich imagery and reflective tone, Nemerov invites readers to reconsider the value of technological achievements in light of the enduring significance of home, community, and the cycles of life.

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