Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Two Slices of Sequoia," John Hollander juxtaposes the awe-inspiring natural history of giant sequoias with the modern, artificial setting of a museum, exploring themes of time, mystery, and human perception. Through rich, descriptive imagery and thoughtful reflection, Hollander invites readers to contemplate the contrast between the living essence of these ancient trees and their preserved remnants.

The poem begins by vividly describing the sequoias' natural state: "Without rooted fingers to clutch / At the underworld; resting its / Burly knuckles only against / The furred earth like some light sprinter." This imagery likens the massive trees to poised athletes, suggesting a latent energy and vitality in their massive trunks. The phrase "waiting for a stillness to crack" evokes a sense of timeless patience and the inherent power of these ancient beings.

Hollander contrasts this with the human perspective, depicting those who moved beneath the sequoias as "whispering children / Running over the rust-brown rug." This imagery highlights the smallness and transience of human life compared to the monumental presence of the trees. The children, "pelting each other with tiny / Cones," symbolize innocence and playfulness, dwarfed by the majestic and enduring sequoias.

The poem shifts to the museum setting, where the sequoia slices are displayed: "But here in the dark museum / Lit grayly with late city light." This transition to an indoor, artificial environment underscores the contrast between the trees' natural habitat and their preserved state. The "shouts of children clattering / Down long, high halls" replace the whispers beneath the trees, emphasizing the difference in atmosphere and experience.

In this museum context, the focus is no longer on the trees themselves but on the mystery of their presence: "One's mystery / Was not of tree; was not of weak, / Unbelieving explorer come / Among these giants as upon / A vast dark error, a forest / Of primordial fictions." Hollander reflects on the explorers who first encountered these giants, suggesting their disbelief and awe, viewing the trees almost as mythical creations.

The poem then poses a series of contemplative questions: "One / Wondered only what dim doors these / Great chips had been stood up against, / What half-lit corridors sealed off, / And what frightening things in glass / Cases along it kept from sight." These lines evoke a sense of curiosity about the museum's hidden aspects and the secrets it conceals, with the sequoia slices standing as "immovable guardians" that protect these mysteries.

Hollander concludes by emphasizing the enduring nature of the sequoias, now "ancient but unaging," their rings symbolizing "wisdom, and as thick as trust." Despite being removed from their natural environment, the sequoias retain their significance and majesty, serving as a bridge between the past and the present, the natural and the artificial.

"Two Slices of Sequoia" masterfully captures the tension between the natural world's timelessness and the ephemeral nature of human experience. Through vivid imagery and reflective musings, Hollander invites readers to consider the profound impact of these ancient trees, both in their natural state and as preserved artifacts, and the enduring mysteries they embody. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the vastness of time and the depth of history contained within the natural world.

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