Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Writing" delves into the profound relationship between the act of writing and the physical and metaphysical world. Through vivid imagery and contemplative musings, Nemerov explores how the process of inscribing characters—whether on paper, ice, or in the cosmos—mirrors the intricate interplay between the individual and the universe.

The poem begins by celebrating the aesthetic pleasure of writing itself: "The cursive crawl, the squared-off characters / these by themselves delight, even without / a meaning." Nemerov acknowledges the intrinsic beauty found in the mere forms of written characters, regardless of their semantic content. This delight extends to foreign scripts, such as Chinese, where the visual elegance of the characters can be appreciated even without understanding their meaning.

Nemerov likens the act of writing to skaters curving across a lake, "scoring their white / records in ice." This metaphor emphasizes the transient yet impactful nature of writing. Just as skaters leave temporary marks on ice, writers leave their imprints on paper, each stroke a testament to their presence and expression.

The poem highlights the miraculous nature of writing, where "world and spirit wed" at the point of a pen or brush. This union suggests that writing is more than a mechanical act; it is a convergence of the physical and the spiritual, a bridge between the tangible world and the writer's inner consciousness. The "small bones of the wrist" balance against the vast "skeletons of stars," illustrating how the minute movements of writing connect to the grander cosmos, much like how a bat navigates using echoes.

Nemerov asserts that "the point of style / is character," implying that the unique manner in which one writes reflects their individuality. This notion is exemplified by contrasting the meticulous forgery of a check-forger with the esteemed calligraphy of Emperor Hui Tsung, who described his writing style as 'Slender Gold.' The emperor's elegant script contrasts sharply with the nervous scrawl of a man reflecting his anxious nature.

The poem's contemplation reaches a peak with the assertion that "the world / were a great writing." This idea proposes that the universe itself can be read as a vast, interconnected text, each element a part of a larger, intelligible whole. Yet, Nemerov reminds us that there is more to the world than writing alone: "continental faults are not / bare convoluted fissures in the brain." This line emphasizes that while writing and thought are deeply interconnected, the physical world exists independently of our intellectual representations.

The closing lines bring the reader back to the ephemeral nature of marks made in the world: "Not only must the skaters soon go home; / also the hard inscription of their skates / is scored across the open water, which long / remembers nothing, neither wind nor wake." This poignant imagery underscores the transient nature of human endeavors. The marks left by skaters—or writers—are temporary, eventually erased by time and nature, highlighting the fleeting yet significant impact of our actions.

"Writing" by Howard Nemerov is a contemplative exploration of the act of writing as a profound intersection between the individual and the universe. Through intricate metaphors and reflective insights, Nemerov reveals how writing serves as both a personal expression and a connection to the larger, ever-changing world. The poem invites readers to appreciate the delicate balance between permanence and impermanence, the personal and the universal, captured in the simple act of putting pen to paper.

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