Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "Stravinsky; An Homage" is an intricate meditation on the interplay of art, nature, and humanity, woven into a tribute to the composer Igor Stravinsky. The poem embodies Olson?s characteristic dense and allusive style, presenting a tapestry of images and themes that reflect the complexity and dynamism of Stravinsky?s music and its resonance with natural and human elements.

The poem opens with a setting "on the edge of woods," situating the reader in a liminal space where nature and humanity converge. This "edge" serves as both a literal and metaphorical boundary, representing the thresholds that Stravinsky’s music often explores: the ancient and the modern, the structured and the chaotic, the organic and the constructed. The imagery of the woods suggests a realm of primal, untamed forces, while "advance, retreat" underscores the cyclical and dynamic nature of both human endeavor and natural processes. Olson draws a parallel between humanity’s navigation of existence and the rhythms and struggles inherent in nature, echoing Stravinsky?s ability to capture such tensions in his compositions.

Olson’s language, punctuated by phrases like "the sounds tempi fable struggle-borne," mirrors the fragmented yet harmonious qualities of Stravinsky?s music. The reference to "tempi" highlights the rhythmic complexity for which Stravinsky is celebrated, while "fable struggle-borne" suggests the mythic undertones and narrative structures present in works like "The Firebird" and "The Rite of Spring". Stravinsky?s music often conveys a sense of struggle and resolution, reflected here in Olson?s acknowledgment of the inherent conflicts within both art and life.

As the poem progresses, Olson introduces "a horn a hooded step / by two white ropes an Echo led." These lines evoke both musical and mythical dimensions. The "horn" is a direct nod to instrumentation, central to Stravinsky’s orchestral textures, while "hooded step" suggests a ritualistic or processional quality. The mention of "two white ropes" and "an Echo" invokes images of fate, connection, and reverberation, emphasizing the interdependent nature of sounds, actions, and consequences. Stravinsky’s music, much like Olson’s poetry, relies on echoes and repetitions that create a sense of both unity and dissonance.

The "levitican point" in the poem may allude to themes of sacredness or order, aligning with Stravinsky’s exploration of religious and ceremonial motifs in works such as "Symphony of Psalms". Olson juxtaposes this order with primal forces, symbolized by the "tympanum and unicorn." The tympanum, a percussive instrument, signifies rhythm and physicality, while the unicorn, a mythical creature, represents transcendence and imagination. This duality—earthly and ethereal—is a hallmark of Stravinsky’s compositions, where the corporeal and the mystical coexist.

Olson then shifts to describe "the balance— / And the scale," pointing to the delicate equilibrium in Stravinsky’s art. The juxtaposition of "the hounds / man, and the maiden both, torn" introduces an image of pursuit and conflict, resonating with the tension and resolution that drive Stravinsky’s narratives and musical structures. The image of the "maiden" being "torn" alongside the hounds suggests the sacrificial and transformative themes prevalent in "The Rite of Spring", where violence and renewal are intertwined.

In the concluding lines, Olson circles back to the natural setting, invoking "rock water (peacocks in the sun)" as vivid, almost tactile elements. The interplay of these natural motifs with the human and musical themes suggests the universality of Stravinsky’s art, its ability to bridge the elemental and the artistic. The striking image of "a cello rubs itself against a tree" captures the sensual and symbiotic relationship between art and nature. The cello, an instrument capable of profound emotional expression, becomes a living entity, engaging with the tree in a gesture of intimacy and creation. This closing scene encapsulates the essence of Stravinsky?s music: grounded in the natural world yet reaching toward the sublime.

Olson’s homage to Stravinsky is both specific and expansive, weaving allusions to the composer’s work with broader reflections on art, life, and the human condition. The poem’s fragmented structure and rich imagery mirror the complexity of Stravinsky’s compositions, requiring the reader to engage actively with its layers of meaning. Olson’s deep respect for Stravinsky’s genius is evident in his ability to channel the composer’s spirit into a poetic form that resonates with similar intensity and depth. In "Stravinsky; An Homage," Olson not only honors the composer but also extends his legacy, creating a work that, like Stravinsky’s music, vibrates with life, energy, and a profound connection to the world.

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