Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's "Louis Sonnet" is a tribute to the poet and anthologist Louis Untermeyer on his 80th birthday. The poem is structured as a sonnet, a fitting form for honoring someone who has dedicated his life to poetry. Through playful language and deep admiration, Rukeyser captures Untermeyer's multifaceted personality and his significant contributions to the literary world.

The poem opens with a light-hearted enumeration of Untermeyer's characteristics: "The jokes, the feuds, the puns, the punishments, / This traditional man being brave, going in grace." These lines immediately set the tone for the poem, highlighting Untermeyer's wit and resilience. The mention of "feuds" and "punishments" suggests a life rich with passionate engagements and conflicts, while "going in grace" underscores his dignified approach to life.

Rukeyser continues by acknowledging Untermeyer's appreciation for the essence of life beyond mere technical perfection: "Finding the structure of lives more than perfected line; / The forms of poetry are his time and space." This line suggests that for Untermeyer, poetry is not just about perfecting form but about capturing the essence and structure of lived experiences.

"He’s quirky, he rhymes like daily life; light wine / Is all his flavor, till fierce reverence / Turns delicatessen into delicatesse—" Here, Rukeyser affectionately describes Untermeyer's unique style and approach to poetry. His quirkiness and ability to rhyme effortlessly reflect his down-to-earth nature. The metaphor of turning "delicatessen into delicatesse" captures his ability to transform the ordinary into something refined and exquisite.

"The man who anthologizes experience. / He is anthologized; like a wave of the sea / He is here, he is there, he changes; impossibly," Rukeyser acknowledges Untermeyer's role as an anthologist, someone who curates and preserves experiences through poetry. The comparison to a wave of the sea suggests his omnipresence and adaptability, emphasizing his fluid and ever-changing nature.

"He is blue surface, green suspended, the dark deep notes. / A stain of brilliance spreading upward floats / In luminous air; we are luminous, he makes us be / The jokes of Job and Heine’s anecdotes." These concluding lines celebrate Untermeyer's depth and complexity. The imagery of "blue surface, green suspended, the dark deep notes" evokes the layers of the ocean, symbolizing his profound and multifaceted character. The "stain of brilliance" spreading upward suggests his influence and the light he brings to others. The reference to "The jokes of Job and Heine’s anecdotes" links him to both biblical and literary traditions, highlighting his intellectual breadth and the joy he brings through humor.

"Louis Sonnet" is a beautifully crafted tribute that captures the essence of Louis Untermeyer's life and work. Through a blend of admiration, humor, and deep respect, Rukeyser paints a vivid portrait of a man who has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry. The poem's playful yet reverent tone reflects Untermeyer's own approach to life and literature, making it a fitting homage to his legacy.

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