Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s poem "Suite for Lord Timothy Dexter" is a vivid and multifaceted exploration of the eccentric and enigmatic figure of Timothy Dexter, an 18th-century American merchant known for his unconventional success and bizarre behavior. The poem delves into Dexter's life, legacy, and the themes of belief, absurdity, and the pursuit of identity and recognition. Through a series of vignettes, Rukeyser captures the essence of Dexter’s life, blending historical facts with poetic imagination.

1. The Introduction of Lord Timothy Dexter

The poem begins by placing Dexter in a mythic context: "They face us in sea-noon sun, just as he saw them waiting, / Bolted down, fastened together by their nailhead proverbs." This imagery evokes a scene of permanence and tradition, setting up Dexter as a figure who both confronts and embodies these timeless proverbs. The "sun still pouring all male all female through their blood" suggests a continuity of life and vigor, contrasting with the more static symbols of wisdom and convention.

Rukeyser describes Dexter's early life and the formative experiences that shaped him: "Smelling of acid, like his trade. / Ready to throw their lifeday down their throats like wine." The young Dexter is depicted as wild and passionate, driven by a desire for success and recognition, which he approaches with both audacity and a sense of humor.

2. How to Impress Massachusetts

This section of the poem shifts to Dexter’s struggle for recognition and respect: "A name’s a name but / Nothing’s the same." Despite his wealth and eccentricity, Dexter faces ridicule and disbelief from his peers. The poem reflects on the paradox of Dexter's success, highlighting his bold investments and his ability to turn seemingly foolish ventures into profitable outcomes. Rukeyser’s use of playful language and rhyme captures Dexter’s flamboyant personality and his defiance of conventional wisdom: "Invested in the State, with / Money not worth a damn."

3. Three Nights I Dreamed

In this dreamlike section, Rukeyser delves into Dexter's imaginative and surreal experiences: "Sharp clouds and a sea-moon sang to me / Where were you born my young my dear." The dream sequences reveal Dexter's deep connection to his dreams and his uncanny ability to transform them into reality. The story of selling warming-pans to the West Indies, which turned out to be a brilliant business move, exemplifies his unique blend of intuition and luck: "My warming-pans sailed gently to Jamaica— / The lids ripped off, made fine molasses-ladles."

4. Kings and Contemporaries

Here, Dexter's eccentricity reaches its peak as he surrounds himself with lifesize figures of notable individuals: "George Third, L’Ouverture, / Lord Nelson Baron of the Nile." These figures reflect Dexter's desire to align himself with greatness and his need to be recognized as a significant figure. Rukeyser captures the blend of grandiosity and absurdity that characterized Dexter's life: "The President’s platform and columns grow— / I meant marble, but wood it is."

5. The Pickle, The Temple

This section juxtaposes Dexter's bizarre behaviors with his philosophical musings: "I will say what I mean here; in a book; / I wants to make / My Enemies grin / Like a cat over / A hot puddin." Rukeyser reflects on Dexter's book, *A Pickle for the Knowing Ones*, which was infamous for its lack of punctuation and its rambling style. Despite its oddities, the book offers glimpses into Dexter's unique worldview and his belief in the interconnectedness of all things: "We live and move in God, / We live in God."

6. The Kind of Woman

Rukeyser explores Dexter's personal life, particularly his troubled marriage: "Ghostly in my house / A woman I married— / Ghostly up the stairs, / Like snow in the hall." This section reveals Dexter's loneliness and his desire for companionship, contrasting sharply with his public persona of wealth and success.

7. Guessing Time

In the final section, Rukeyser contemplates Dexter's legacy and the paradox of his existence: "My old head has Worn out three bodies. / Amen. Clean truth." The poem reflects on the nature of truth, belief, and the absurdity of life, echoing Dexter's own musings about existence and the universe: "I guess the world is all one / Very large living creature; / Mankind is the master beast."

Through "Suite for Lord Timothy Dexter," Muriel Rukeyser paints a complex and richly detailed portrait of a man who defied convention and carved out his own path in history. The poem celebrates Dexter's eccentricity, his daring, and his ability to find success in the most unlikely places. Rukeyser’s exploration of Dexter’s life invites readers to reflect on the nature of success, the role of intuition and luck, and the enduring power of individuality and belief.

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