Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"As Being is Eternal" by Linda Gregg is a profound meditation on the interplay of time, memory, and transformation. The poem's imagery and narrative structure create a contemplative atmosphere, allowing readers to explore the nature of existence and change through the lens of a woman sitting alone in a bright room.

The opening lines establish a quiet, introspective scene: "She is sitting alone in the bright room. / There are two other rooms, one dark / and closed, the other with a single light." This setup symbolizes the different states of being and consciousness. The bright room represents awareness and presence, the dark room signifies the unknown or subconscious, and the room with a single light suggests focused introspection or a glimpse of understanding.

"Outside there is a cold November" situates the scene in a specific time, evoking a sense of stillness and reflection. November, a transitional month, symbolizes the passage of time and the approach of winter, reinforcing themes of change and the passage of seasons.

The woman's memories of the statues she saw in Greece add a layer of historical and cultural depth: "She is remembering the statues / she saw in Greece on the mountain, / in empty rooms where light was added / to light, surrounded by silence." These statues, ancient and timeless, serve as metaphors for eternal being and the enduring nature of art. The light in the empty rooms enhances their presence, suggesting that art, like memory, illuminates and preserves moments across time.

The poem shifts to a philosophical reflection: "The way one hears a door quietly / close and footsteps coming closer. / Present and past like that. The way / art is exact." This comparison between the subtle sounds of a closing door and approaching footsteps with the merging of present and past highlights the fluidity of time. Art, described as "exact," captures and freezes these moments, allowing for precise recollection and contemplation.

The woman in her lighted room symbolizes clarity and self-awareness: "She could rise and walk / into one of the empty rooms / that she is not in. Could see / a vase of red roses on the table / where white roses were last week." This possibility of moving between rooms reflects the ability to navigate different states of mind or moments in time. The changing roses signify the inevitability of change and the passage of time, with red roses replacing white, symbolizing transformation and the ongoing cycle of life.

"Time has finished its journey, / has come its long halfway." These lines suggest a moment of realization or culmination, where the past and present converge. The air's heaviness "as water" as she bends her head over the page conveys a sense of immersion in her thoughts and the weight of reflection.

The second part of the poem, "Io: Shape-Shifted," draws on the mythological figure of Io, who was transformed into a cow by Zeus. This transformation is depicted vividly: "Saw me turning into a cow / and tortured by your wife's bees." The physical changes Io undergoes—"hand turning / into a hoof, tender flesh becoming / soft calf hide"—are described with a visceral intensity that underscores the theme of metamorphosis.

The imagery of "plunging / into the sea, mooing with fear, / salt water in my mouth and the darkness / below me" evokes a sense of overwhelming change and the unknown depths of transformation. This mythological reference enriches the poem's exploration of being and becoming, emphasizing the vastness and complexity of existence.

"As Being is Eternal" ultimately reflects on the eternal nature of being and the transformative power of memory and art. The poem's quiet, contemplative tone invites readers to consider their own experiences of time, change, and the enduring impact of art and memory on their lives. Through its rich imagery and philosophical musings, Gregg's poem offers a profound meditation on the nature of existence and the eternal cycles of transformation.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...