Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Measure" by Robert Hass is a poem that delicately balances the contemplative and the observational, weaving together the subtleties of nature with the introspective act of writing. Hass captures fleeting moments, the quiet beauty of a sunset, and the peace found in both the external world and the internal process of creation.

The poem opens with the word "Recurrences," suggesting a theme of cycles or repetitions that frame the subsequent imagery. The "Coppery light hesitates / again in the small-leaved / Japanese plum," sets a scene of tranquil beauty. The use of "hesitates" imbues the light with a tentative, almost human quality, enhancing the sense of a delicate, ephemeral moment. The Japanese plum, with its small leaves, becomes a focal point, symbolizing perhaps both fragility and resilience.

Hass juxtaposes this natural scene with the setting of the "writing desk," a place of habitual peace. This duality—the external world of nature and the internal world of the writer—forms the core of the poem's contemplation. The peace of writing is described as habitual, suggesting a comforting routine or sanctuary. This peace is not just the result of the act of writing, but also something inherent in the act itself, forming "an order I only / belong to in the idleness / of attention." Here, Hass emphasizes the importance of mindful observation, the idleness that allows deeper engagement with both the act of writing and the world it describes.

As the poem progresses, the imagery of the setting sun and the blue mountain continues to evoke a sense of serene timelessness: "Last light / rims the blue mountain." This line captures the fleeting beauty of twilight, a moment of transition that hints at something more profound. The speaker mentions "I almost glimpse / what I was born to," suggesting a moment of near-revelation, an understanding or insight that is just out of reach. This longing for understanding is not found directly in the sunlight or the plum tree but in "the pulse / that forms these lines."

The "pulse" here is a powerful metaphor, linking the natural rhythms of the world with the creative process of writing. It suggests that the act of creation—forming lines of poetry—is itself a way of tapping into a deeper, perhaps universal, rhythm. This pulse is both a literal heartbeat and a metaphorical drive that shapes the poem and the writer’s connection to the world.

In "Measure," Hass beautifully captures the interplay between the external world and the internal process of writing. The poem suggests that through the careful observation of nature and the disciplined practice of writing, one can glimpse deeper truths and find a sense of belonging. The peace found in the act of writing, much like the peace found in nature, is portrayed as a gateway to understanding one’s place in the world. The poem’s quiet, meditative tone invites the reader to reflect on their own moments of stillness and the insights that emerge from them.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...