Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "When One Age Goes with It Suddenly Its Errors Evaporate" explores the intersection of historical paradigms, shifts in human understanding, and the ever-evolving nature of perception and value systems. With his characteristic engagement in both the personal and the universal, Olson delves into how intellectual frameworks and societal constructs dissolve as new truths and contexts emerge.

The poem begins with a reflection on the Indo-European conception of clouds as the primordial form of mass, juxtaposed against the more modern understanding of charge. Olson?s treatment of this shift is not merely scientific but metaphorical, suggesting a broader change in how humanity perceives and categorizes the world. The clouds, as symbolic of form and presence, yield to the intangible yet dynamic reality of charge—an entity that governs interactions on a fundamental level. This transition mirrors the dissolution of older paradigms as new knowledge redefines the structures of thought.

The distinction between "mass" and "charge" becomes a point of philosophical inquiry. Olson?s assertion that "mass is less primitive and universal than charge" suggests a deeper engagement with how humanity conceptualizes its relationship with the material and the immaterial. Mass, traditionally associated with physicality and tangibility, is relegated to a less universal role than charge, which implies motion, energy, and interaction. In this framework, Olson emphasizes the dynamic nature of existence and the shifting basis of authority, knowledge, and value.

The poem?s historical and cultural commentary unfolds through references to specific dates—1957 and 1958—hinting at the scientific and cultural revolutions of the mid-20th century. Olson points to the importance of judgment and authority in determining values and instances, suggesting that what humanity deems significant is contingent on who holds the power to decide. This emphasis on "ad valorem"—value determined by appraisal—underscores the subjective nature of human priorities, shaped by societal structures and intellectual trends.

The reference to Toronto and Margaret Avison adds a layer of personal and geographical specificity, anchoring the abstract musings in real-world contexts. Olson?s phrase, "Toronto non occupada," resonates with both political and existential connotations, possibly reflecting on spaces emptied of their previous significance or societal roles. The mention of Avison, a contemporary poet, suggests a shared engagement with these themes of transition and transformation.

Olson?s observation that "the seats were empty" is a pivotal moment in the poem, symbolizing the vacating of old structures, roles, and meanings. The image of empty seats evokes a sense of absence and abandonment, yet it is not mournful. Instead, it points to liberation—the opportunity for new configurations and possibilities to arise. The dissolution of these "seats" suggests the passing of one age and the evaporation of its accompanying errors, as the title posits.

The latter part of the poem shifts to a tone of both irreverence and defiance. Olson?s playful invocation of "Old Zeus and Pa" and the image of regimentals down Queen?s Highway embody a blend of classical and contemporary, mythological and modern. This blending reflects Olson?s interest in collapsing temporal and cultural boundaries, suggesting that even as one age fades, its remnants can reemerge in altered, often subversive forms.

Olson?s language, dense with allusion and implication, mirrors the complexity of the transitions he examines. His use of colloquial phrases like "we?ll see ya" juxtaposed with references to "meteura" (likely derived from the Greek "meteora", meaning things lifted or suspended) creates a tension between the casual and the profound. This interplay underscores the coexistence of the everyday and the cosmic, the immediate and the eternal, within the human experience.

The poem concludes with a gesture toward freedom and renewal: "The ocean is free again." This line encapsulates the essence of Olson?s vision—a release from past constraints and an embrace of the vast, uncharted possibilities that lie ahead. The ocean, a recurring symbol in Olson?s work, represents both the physical and metaphysical expanses where humanity can rediscover its purpose and direction.

"When One Age Goes with It Suddenly Its Errors Evaporate" is a meditation on the impermanence of human constructs and the enduring cycle of change and renewal. Olson?s exploration of shifting paradigms—scientific, cultural, and existential—invites readers to reflect on their own participation in the dynamic processes of history and thought. Through his intricate weaving of personal, historical, and philosophical threads, Olson creates a work that resonates with the complexity and wonder of the human condition.

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