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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Attempting to Answer David Ignatow's Question" by Robert Bly is a poignant reflection on the cycle of life, the beauty found in its transient moments, and the interconnectedness of all things. The poem begins with an introspective query inspired by David Ignatow, pondering the inherent beauty in the act of leaves falling and questioning the audience to whom this beauty is apparent as life progresses towards its inevitable end. Bly’s response to this contemplation is both profound and illuminating, expanding the scope of beauty and connection beyond the human perspective. The opening lines introduce a contemplative mood, inviting the reader to consider the deeper significance of natural processes, such as leaves falling, which are often overlooked or taken for granted. The question "To whom are we beautiful as we go?" suggests a yearning for purpose and recognition in the cycle of life and death, seeking to understand the value of our existence and transitions within the broader context of the universe. Bly reassures us that "We are beautiful to the Mother as we go," invoking the imagery of the Earth or nature as a maternal figure who appreciates and cherishes the beauty in each phase of our journey. This perspective shifts the focus from a human-centric view of beauty and worth to a more universal, ecological understanding, where every element of nature is interconnected and significant. The poem then delves into various manifestations of this interconnectedness and the paths that beings, both animate and inanimate, traverse. Bly speaks of "mysterious roads in jade that Old men follow," suggesting the wisdom and the unseen paths that guide the lives of those who are close to nature and understand its deeper truths. The reference to "routes that migratory birds walk on" further emphasizes the instinctual, natural connections that creatures have with the earth and with each other, guided by unseen forces and internal compasses. Bly extends this motif of interconnected paths to "The circle dances / Iron filings do," drawing a parallel between the magnetic, seemingly choreographed movements of iron filings around a magnet and the natural, intrinsic patterns found in life. These examples serve to illustrate the unseen, yet profoundly beautiful connections that bind the universe, often beyond human comprehension. The mention of salmon returning to their old beds and sleeping bodies not being alone touches on the themes of return, rebirth, and the comfort of belonging. Salmon, driven by instinct, navigate back to their birthplaces to spawn, embodying the cycle of life and the deep, intrinsic knowledge that guides them. The idea that "Sleeping bodies are not alone" suggests a comforting connection to the world beyond our conscious understanding, perhaps to the collective consciousness or the natural world that watches over us in our most vulnerable state. "Attempting to Answer David Ignatow's Question" is a meditation on the interconnectedness of life, the unseen beauty in the natural world, and the universal bonds that connect all beings. Bly suggests that the beauty in life's transitions, such as leaves falling, is appreciated by the larger, maternal entity of the Earth, and that we are part of a much greater, interconnected cosmos. The poem encourages a deeper appreciation for the natural cycles and the mysterious, yet beautiful paths that all creatures—human, animal, and even mineral—follow throughout their existence
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ELEGY FOR THE PAST by MARVIN BELL FROST AND HIS ENEMIES by ROBERT BLY THE WORLDS IN THIS WORLD by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR UNABLE TO FIND by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR TO HELEN KELLER - HUMANITARIAN, SOCIAL DEMOCRAT, GREAT SOUL by EDWIN MARKHAM DOMESDAY BOOK: FINDING OF THE BODY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS WE COME BACK by KENNETH REXROTH |
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