Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Speed, We Say" is a reflection on the concept of speed in our contemporary world, contrasting the rapid pace of technological advancements with the deeper, more profound speeds of human experience and emotion. Through vivid imagery and introspective musings, Rukeyser explores how speed manifests in various forms, from the physical to the emotional, and ultimately underscores the nuanced layers of human existence that go beyond mere velocity.

The poem opens with a recognition of the current era's obsession with speed: "Speed, we say of our time: racing my writing word / The jet now, the whole sky screaming his name, Speed." This line captures the frenetic pace of modern life, where even words race to keep up with the swift advancements in technology, epitomized by the jet, which dominates the sky with its noise and speed. The repetition of "Speed" emphasizes its pervasive influence on our perceptions and experiences.

Rukeyser then contrasts this external, mechanical speed with a more profound, internal speed: "But I know rapider, someone hauling horizons in / Beside whom the racing of the suns seems tame." This suggests an individual whose influence or actions bring the distant closer, moving faster than the natural progression of time itself. This "someone" embodies a different kind of speed, one that transcends the physical and touches on the metaphysical, making even the movement of celestial bodies seem slow.

The poem delves into the realm of emotional speed with the line, "I know faster than the flashing of suddenly recognized love / Or yellow spring going glimpsing his green fame." Here, Rukeyser evokes the instantaneous and transformative power of love and the rapid change of seasons, both of which occur with a swiftness that outpaces physical motion. The transition from "yellow spring" to "green fame" captures the fleeting yet profound moments of realization and change that define human experiences.

Rukeyser further explores the intensity of love's speed: "Love after long suffering like inward lightning, / Assumed and lived through where now lovers lie warm, / Wild and at peace among their colors." The metaphor of "inward lightning" conveys the sudden, electrifying nature of love that follows prolonged suffering. This love is both wild and peaceful, embodying a complex spectrum of emotions that are vividly alive. The lovers, lying together, represent a union that reconciles the wildness of their experiences with a profound sense of peace.

The poem reaches a climax with a declaration of newfound understanding and joy: "One quick-color mouth saying, 'Now, love, now; / I have my spirit now, newborn and given, / The live delight.'" This exclamation marks a moment of realization and acceptance, where the speaker embraces the present moment and the vitality of their spirit. The "quick-color mouth" symbolizes the immediacy and vibrancy of this revelation.

Rukeyser continues to explore the depth of this experience: "It now is immediately not only spirit, not only mine, / but delight the forerunner / Of the depth of joy, most subtle, most rapid." Here, delight is seen as the precursor to a deeper, more enduring joy. This joy is described as "most subtle, most rapid," highlighting its intricate and swift nature, which transcends superficial understandings of speed.

The poem concludes with a harmonious resolution: "My two speeds, now, at last / Related, now at last in the same music— / Light running before light." This final imagery suggests a reconciliation of the different types of speed—physical and emotional—into a unified experience. The notion of "light running before light" evokes a sense of continuity and coherence, where all forms of speed are part of a greater, harmonious whole.

In "Speed, We Say," Muriel Rukeyser masterfully contrasts the external, technological speed of the modern world with the deeper, more profound speeds of love, transformation, and joy. Through her evocative language and reflective insights, Rukeyser invites readers to consider the multifaceted nature of speed and its impact on our lives. The poem celebrates the subtle, rapid movements of the heart and spirit, highlighting the enduring power of human experiences that transcend the mere mechanics of velocity.

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