Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Night That Lorca Comes" by Bob Kaufman is a surreal and evocative poem that intertwines themes of liberation, historical memory, and cultural migration with the enigmatic presence of Federico García Lorca, a renowned Spanish poet and playwright. The poem's vivid imagery and fantastical elements create a dreamlike narrative that envisions a profound transformation in the American South, particularly in relation to the African American experience.

The poem employs a distinct typographical choice, using all caps throughout. This stylistic decision serves to intensify the tone and highlight the significance of the themes and images presented.  The all caps text contributes to the poem's overall impact, making the reader acutely aware of the profound and transformative vision Kaufman is presenting.

The poem opens with a prophetic tone: "THE NIGHT THAT LORCA COMES / SHALL BE A STRANGE NIGHT IN THE / SOUTH." This introduction sets up an otherworldly event tied to the arrival of Lorca, whose literary work often explored themes of oppression, love, and death. His presence here symbolizes a moment of reckoning or change. The "strange night" suggests an extraordinary occurrence, one that disrupts the status quo.

"It shall be the time when Negroes leave the / SOUTH / FOREVER," foretells a mass exodus of African Americans from the South, a symbolic departure from a region historically marred by slavery, segregation, and racial violence. The use of "forever" underscores the finality and transformative nature of this migration, suggesting a permanent break from the oppressive past.

The imagery of "GREEN TRAINS SHALL ARRIVE / FROM RED PLANET MARS" adds a fantastical layer to the poem. The green trains from Mars, an alien and distant place, signify an escape to an entirely new world, free from earthly struggles. This interplanetary reference highlights the sense of a radical, almost miraculous liberation.

"CRACKLING BLUENESS SHALL SEND TOOTH-COVERED CARS FOR / THEM / TO LEAVE IN, TO GO INTO / THE NORTH FOREVER," continues the fantastical theme. The "crackling blueness" could symbolize a divine or cosmic intervention, while the "tooth-covered cars" might evoke a sense of protection or the uncanny. The North, historically seen as a place of greater freedom and opportunity for African Americans, becomes the destination for this exodus, representing hope and renewal.

The poem then shifts to a personal reflection: "AND I SEE MY LITTLE GIRL MOTHER / AGAIN WITH HER CROSS THAT / IS NOT BURNING, HER SKIRTS / OF BLACK, OF ALL COLORS, HER AURA / OF FAMILIARITY." This tender image suggests a convergence of past and present, where the speaker reconnects with a maternal figure. The "cross that / IS NOT BURNING" contrasts with the image of burning crosses associated with the Ku Klux Klan, symbolizing peace instead of terror. The "skirts / OF BLACK, OF ALL COLORS" may represent mourning and diversity, while the "aura / OF FAMILIARITY" evokes a comforting recognition of shared history and identity.

"The South shall weep / BITTER TEARS TO NO AVAIL, / THE NEGROES HAVE GONE / INTO CRACKLING BLUENESS." This passage portrays the South's reaction to the departure of African Americans, emphasizing the futility of any remorse or regret. The departure into "crackling blueness" suggests a journey into a liberated and transformative space, beyond the reach of the old order.

The poem introduces historical figures, notably Crispus Attucks, an African American man who is widely regarded as the first person killed in the Boston Massacre, thus becoming a martyr for American independence. "CRISPUS ATTUCKS SHALL ARRIVE WITH THE BOSTON / COMMONS, TO TAKE ELISSI LANDI / NORTH," imagines Attucks returning to lead another significant journey towards freedom. The mention of "BOSTON COMMONS" alludes to a historical site of revolutionary activity and public discourse, emphasizing the theme of liberation.

"LINCOLN SHALL BE THERE, / TO SEE THEM LEAVE THE / SOUTH FOREVER," invokes Abraham Lincoln, the president who signed the Emancipation Proclamation. His presence signifies a historical endorsement of this ultimate liberation and the fulfillment of the promises of freedom.

The final lines, "THE WHITE SOUTH SHALL GATHER AT / PRESERVATION HALL," imply a gathering of the white population at a symbolic place, potentially to reflect on the loss and the cultural shift. Preservation Hall, a famous jazz venue in New Orleans, may symbolize a place of cultural significance and reflection, where history and memory are preserved.

Overall, "The Night That Lorca Comes" uses surreal and symbolic language to envision a profound and final departure from the American South's oppressive history. Bob Kaufman weaves together historical figures, cultural references, and personal reflections to craft a narrative of liberation and transformation, capturing a moment of collective and individual transcendence. The poem stands as a powerful meditation on the possibilities of change and the enduring hope for a just and liberated future.

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