Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "To the Rulers" is a scathing critique of political leaders and their exercise of power. With biting irony and a tone of foreboding, Nemerov addresses the detachment, arrogance, and potential destructiveness of those in positions of authority. The poem reflects on historical fears and contemporary anxieties, underscoring the timelessness of political folly and hubris.

The opening lines, "We read and hear about you every day, / What you decide we need, or want, or may / Be made to stand still for ... Now let us pray," immediately establish a tone of skepticism and frustration. The rulers' decisions are portrayed as distant and imposed, often indifferent to the true needs or desires of the people. The call to "pray" is both a sincere plea for help and a sarcastic acknowledgment of the rulers' overbearing control.

Nemerov references the year 1000 AD, when many believed the world would end. This historical allusion, "Approaching the year One Thousand of Your Lord, / Men fixed that date for the ending of the world," serves as a reminder of humanity's recurring apocalyptic fears. The poem points out that such fears were rooted in a simplistic alignment of truth with "round numbers," suggesting that even grand predictions are often based on arbitrary or simplistic reasoning.

The passage of this millennium without catastrophe led to a rebirth of skepticism, as indicated by the lines, "That passed. And all the reborn skeptics smiled / Over such fancies as could have beguiled / No one who was not but a simple child." This historical context sets up a contrast with the present day, where similar fears and follies persist despite our supposed enlightenment.

As the next millennium approaches, Nemerov notes that "Reality's caught up with Kingdom Come," implying that modern times feel as perilous as the prophesied end of days. The line "Why wait two dozen years to round the sum?" suggests an imminent sense of doom, reflecting contemporary anxieties about nuclear war and global catastrophe.

The poem's address to "Conscript Fathers, sponsors of the draft," invokes the image of those who send young men to war, highlighting the rulers' roles in perpetuating conflict and preparing for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The "little raft / That when the world sinks will be what is left" symbolizes the rulers' attempts to safeguard themselves while the rest of humanity faces destruction.

Nemerov vividly captures the rulers' anxiety with the lines, "I hear you praying, as your fingers trill / Unnervingly at night beside the pill, / The button, the hot line to the Other Will." This imagery conveys the constant tension and fear that accompanies the possession of such immense power, where a single decision can unleash devastation. The "pill" and "button" are metaphors for the nuclear arsenals and the responsibility that comes with them, linking personal anxiety to global stakes.

The poem concludes with a chilling reference to the Roman Emperor Caligula's infamous wish: "If they all only had one neck ... It's so / Unnecessary and out of date. We do." This final twist implies that modern leaders possess the capability to destroy all humanity as if it had a single neck to be severed. The starkness of this image underscores the gravity of contemporary power dynamics and the potential for catastrophic misuse.

In "To the Rulers," Nemerov masterfully combines historical reflection with contemporary critique, using sharp irony and potent imagery to convey the perils of political power and the recurring patterns of human folly. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities that come with leadership and the enduring need for vigilance and accountability in the face of potential disaster.

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