Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Business," Charles Olson offers a pithy reflection on the fleeting nature of opportunity and the relentless demands of staying relevant in any pursuit. The short, direct lines convey a sense of urgency, as though the speaker is commenting on an ongoing struggle. Olson’s language, stripped of excess, mirrors the stark realities of the world he describes—a place where value is measured by productivity and where individuals must constantly prove their worth to "stay in the business."

The opening lines, "so much slipping by / ain’t getting in," immediately capture a sense of lost opportunities, evoking the feeling that critical moments or chances are passing unnoticed or unseized. This imagery suggests that there is a constant stream of events, ideas, or chances to participate in something larger, yet they slip past, possibly due to distractions or the sheer pace of modern life. The ambiguity of what exactly is "slipping by" reflects Olson’s perspective on the struggle for relevance in a competitive world. The omission of specifics allows the line to resonate broadly, touching on the universal feeling of time and chances slipping away without fully grasping them.

Olson then shifts to a declaration: "it has to at least be / the equal of." This line implies a benchmark or standard, something that must be matched or exceeded to remain relevant or competitive. The ambiguous "it" could represent one’s efforts, contributions, or even presence in any endeavor. Olson’s choice of "at least" implies that the bar is not just high but is constantly shifting—what was once sufficient may no longer be enough in a world that continuously demands more.

The final lines, "or / you’re not in, you get out of / the business," crystallize the poem’s central idea. Olson positions "the business" as a metaphor for the modern world’s insistence on productivity, success, and visibility. The phrase "you’re not in" implies exclusion, as though failing to meet expectations results in a kind of expulsion or irrelevance. The simple, colloquial phrase "you get out of the business" sounds like a blunt warning or a consequence that one must face if they cannot keep up. Olson’s choice of phrasing conveys a resigned acceptance of the harsh realities of modern life, where failing to match the relentless pace means being left behind.

Through its brevity and matter-of-fact tone, "Business" captures a raw perspective on the pressures of contemporary life, where value is often judged by what one can deliver and how consistently they can meet rising expectations. Olson distills these challenges into a few terse lines, suggesting that in a world defined by constant demands, the price of falling short is exclusion, leaving individuals caught in a race where relevance is always just out of reach. The poem’s stark language and compressed structure reflect the tension between personal agency and external expectations, drawing attention to the fragility of one’s place in a world driven by success metrics and continuous output.

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