Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Mark Jarman's poem "Jeffers" is a profound meditation on the life and work of Robinson Jeffers, the American poet known for his rugged individualism and deep connection to the natural world. Through rich, evocative imagery and contemplative prose, Jarman explores themes of solitude, dedication, and the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.

The poem opens with a striking image: "To raise a stump of rock into a tower, rolling a stone / in place as the years pass." This metaphor for Jeffers' lifelong dedication to building stone towers and writing poetry sets the tone for the poem. The physical act of rolling a stone becomes a symbol of persistence and the passage of time, as well as the Sisyphean nature of Jeffers' endeavors. The travelers who see the silhouette of the tower "travel to Japan, / Cross China, venture into India, to Europe," highlighting the universal and timeless impact of Jeffers' work, yet when they return, they find "the stump of rock--your tower--on the headland, and you there, / rolling a stone in place."

Jarman delves into the essence of this repetitive labor: "The edifice apparently no taller, as if each night you had / dismantled it / And every day had raised it up again." This cycle of building and dismantling mirrors the natural processes that Jeffers revered, such as the spider spinning its web or the bird building its nest. Jarman uses the term "nisus," an obscure word meaning a striving effort or endeavor, to capture this relentless drive: "To know, only in / completion, the nisus / That dominates the spider when it spins, the bird building / its nest, the gray whale / Turning toward Mexico and the sea lion clambering up shingle / toward its mate."

The poem transitions to the theme of creation and the artist's compulsion to create: "It dominates the reader bent above the book, poised like a / stork hunting; like sleep, / It is an utter unity of will and action, known--at least by / man or woman-- / Only when it is over." This unity of will and action is the hallmark of Jeffers' dedication, reflecting the intense focus required to build both physical structures and literary works.

Jarman then shifts to a more personal and domestic scene: "And when the work is over--tower / building, poem writing-- / You hear gulls cry and see them kiting at the bull terrier / out in the garden." This scene brings Jeffers' world into a more intimate, relatable space, where the poet interacts with the natural world and the creatures within it. The act of taking "the petty / morsel from the pet dog, toss it / To the scolding gulls" illustrates a small, yet meaningful, connection to nature.

The poem turns introspective as Jarman describes the isolation Jeffers experiences: "Enter, expecting to see the woman, the two / sons, and your place at table, / Waiting. And find you are alone. Even the dog at heel-- / vanished." This solitude is emphasized by the "stone house / Glumly dark and a dumb cold coming from its walls, that only / whiskey cuts." The cold and darkness are metaphors for Jeffers' isolation and the emotional distance he feels.

Jarman finds solace in the natural world, echoing Jeffers' own philosophy: "Meanwhile, they are the elements that starlight loves. / Clear cold, pure darkness, outside the window." The stars and the vast emptiness of the universe reflect the poet's sense of insignificance and the supreme indifference of nature: "Nothing / in creation shows / More the supreme indifference to humanity, despite the patterns / of the zodiac."

The poem closes with a meditation on sleep and memory: "Only sleep will matter. At that / hour, in those conditions, / Just out of reach, receding like the dark itself as daylight / pushes in, sleep only / Will be the thing you want." The struggle to attain sleep, despite the exhaustion from "work and love," becomes a metaphor for the elusive peace and rest that Jeffers seeks. The final lines offer a glimmer of hope that memory, rather than starlight, will provide warmth and comfort: "Perhaps, then, memory, not starlight, / will intercede, / And the stone house gather warmth from its hearth fire, and / loved ones reappear, and you will sleep."

In "Jeffers," Mark Jarman masterfully captures the essence of Robinson Jeffers' life and work, exploring the themes of solitude, dedication, and the natural world. Through vivid imagery and introspective reflection, the poem pays homage to Jeffers' relentless drive to create and his deep connection to the rugged beauty of the California coast. The poem invites readers to contemplate the balance between creation and destruction, the passage of time, and the enduring impact of a life dedicated to art and nature.

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