Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker’s poem "Move" explores the instinctual drive and inherent purpose observed in nature, contrasting it with the human experience of searching for meaning and direction. Through the metaphorical journeys of a turtle and a salmon, Ostriker delves into the themes of destiny, choice, and the human desire for certainty and fulfillment.

The poem opens with the image of a turtle "who drags herself / Slowly to the sandlot," engaging in the ancient, instinctual ritual of digging a nest and laying eggs. The turtle's actions are portrayed as deliberate and inevitable, a reflection of the species’ ingrained behavior passed down through generations. This image of slow, methodical movement contrasts sharply with the next example: salmon "Rocketing upstream / Toward pools that call, Bring your eggs here." The salmon’s journey is one of urgency and power, propelled by an undeniable inner drive that compels them to return to their place of origin to spawn.

Ostriker contrasts the "turtle-green / Ugliness and awkwardness" with the "seething / Grace and gild of silky salmon," highlighting the differences in appearance and movement between the two creatures. Despite these differences, both are united by their singular focus on fulfilling their biological purpose. The poem suggests that there is something admirable, even enviable, in these animals' certainty and the clarity of their mission. Humans, by contrast, are "Thirsty for a destiny like theirs, / an absolute right choice / To end all choices." This longing reflects a deep-seated desire for the kind of purpose and direction that seems so innate in other species.

The poem then delves into the mystery of what drives these creatures: "Is it memory, / We ask, is it a smell / They remember, / Or just what is it—some kind of blueprint." Ostriker captures the human fascination with the idea that these animals might be following some inherent, almost preordained plan. The "blueprint" metaphor suggests a predetermined path or destiny, something that humans often seek but rarely find with such clarity.

The physicality of the salmon’s journey is evoked in the lines "Cold cascade above icy cascade, / Slipping through / Water’s fingers," capturing the relentless and arduous nature of their migration. This movement inland, "A hundred miles / Inland from the easy, shiny sea," symbolizes the difficulty of pursuing a goal that is distant and requires sacrifice—a journey that resonates with the human quest for meaning.

In the latter part of the poem, Ostriker shifts focus to the human experience, drawing a parallel between the natural migrations of the turtle and salmon and the human journey through life. Whether "In the company / Of our tribe" or "alone, like the turtle / On her wrinkled feet with the tapping nails," humans too are driven by a need to move, to seek, and to find their place in the world. The poem acknowledges that, like these animals, humans often navigate life driven by an internal compass, even if it is not as clearly defined.

The poem concludes with a powerful affirmation of this quest: "When we reach the place we’ll know / We are in the right spot, somehow, like a breath / Entering a singer’s chest, that shapes itself / For the song that is to follow." This final image of a breath shaping itself for a song suggests that finding one's place in the world, like the instinctual migrations of the turtle and salmon, is both a physical and spiritual alignment. The "right spot" is not just a physical location but a moment of harmony and purpose, where everything falls into place, and the journey—whether in life or in art—can continue.

"Move" is a contemplative poem that reflects on the natural instinctual drives observed in animals and contrasts them with the human search for meaning. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful exploration of destiny, choice, and purpose, Ostriker invites readers to consider the parallels between the natural world and human life, ultimately suggesting that, like the turtle and the salmon, we too are driven by an inner urge to find our place in the world, a place where we can fully express the "song that is to follow."

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