Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "It?s Got to This" is a brief yet evocative poem that juxtaposes everyday objects and interactions with a heightened sense of grandeur, playing with perspective and scale to reveal unexpected depths in the mundane. Through its observational tone, the poem explores how context transforms perception, blending humor, simplicity, and a subtle critique of human tendencies.

The opening declaration, "It?s got to this," immediately sets a tone of resigned realization, as if the speaker is acknowledging a shift in their way of seeing the world. This shift is further emphasized by the assertion that “anything against the sky is big.” By framing objects against the expansive backdrop of the sky, Olson invites a reimagining of scale and significance. A "bantam?s tail," normally a trivial detail, becomes “as noble as any hero’s casque.” The comparison of a chicken’s tail feather to a warrior’s helmet humorously elevates the ordinary to the mythic, suggesting that grandeur is not inherent but a product of perspective. This interplay between the mundane and the heroic underscores Olson’s ability to find poetry in unexpected places.

The next image—the ventilator on a hen house—continues this theme, likening the functional structure to a warrior “looking about him.” This anthropomorphizing of the hen house?s ventilator not only reinforces the idea of the mundane acquiring heroic qualities but also introduces a sense of vigilance or watchfulness. The ventilator becomes a stand-in for human aspirations, its utilitarian purpose imbued with an almost existential significance. Olson’s choice of the ventilator and the bantam’s tail as focal points is deliberate, highlighting how even the humblest objects can reflect the sublime when framed thoughtfully.

The second half of the poem shifts from visual imagery to dialogue, introducing two “be-bops” walking on rails. This scene is both grounded and playful, contrasting the elevated language of the earlier stanzas with the colloquial, rhythmic speech of the two figures. The be-bops’ conversation—one lamenting that “the steps are too far apart” and the other countering, “It ain’t that, it’s the bannisters are so low”—is deceptively simple. On the surface, it captures a relatable moment of banter or frustration, but it also serves as a metaphor for human limitations and the challenges of navigating life.

The mention of “steps” and “bannisters” suggests the structure and support systems we rely on to ascend or progress. The first speaker’s complaint about the steps being “too far apart” reflects a focus on external obstacles, while the second speaker’s observation about the bannisters being “too low” hints at inadequate support or guidance. Together, these perspectives reveal different attitudes toward the same struggle—one externalizing the difficulty, the other internalizing it. Olson’s inclusion of this dialogue invites readers to consider their own perceptions of limitations, whether they lie in the world around them or within themselves.

Structurally, the poem mirrors its content. Its brevity and fragmented stanzas echo the broken steps and low bannisters described in the dialogue, while its juxtaposition of lofty imagery with everyday language underscores the tension between aspiration and reality. The conversational tone of the second half contrasts with the elevated language of the first, creating a dynamic interplay between the poetic and the prosaic. This balance reflects Olson’s broader poetic philosophy, which seeks to integrate the immediacy of lived experience with the timeless resonance of myth and archetype.

In “It’s Got to This,” Olson transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, revealing how shifts in perspective can imbue even the most unremarkable details with profound meaning. The poem’s humor and playfulness do not detract from its depth; rather, they enhance its exploration of how humans interpret and navigate the world. By blending grand imagery with colloquial dialogue, Olson captures the duality of existence, where the heroic and the humble coexist, and where meaning is both constructed and discovered.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...