Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Apprenticeship" by Will Alexander is a densely woven tapestry of poetic language, exploring the complexities and challenges of the creative process, particularly the journey of becoming a poet. The poem is rich in metaphor and allusion, drawing from a wide range of imagery to convey the tumultuous and often arduous path of poetic development.

The opening lines immediately set the tone for the poem, positioning the speaker in a reflective stance, "posing in a mirror of scratch paper sonnets." This metaphor suggests the trial-and-error nature of writing, where initial attempts are like rough sketches or rehearsals. The comparison of sonnets to "a live Aegean rhino" is striking and unusual, implying that creating poetry is as rare and formidable as encountering this mythical beast.

The poem delves into the "craft" of poetry, filled with "riverine volcanoes" and "spectacular lightning peninsulas," suggesting a landscape that is both beautiful and dangerous, much like the creative process itself. The poet grapples with "unrecognized pablums" and "arch-rivalry with extinction," indicating the struggle against mediocrity and the constant threat of irrelevance or failure.

Alexander uses intense, often violent imagery to convey the poet's internal battles: "poetic scorching by debris," "inaugural timber which flashes," and "friction which flares up & harries." This language reflects the conflict, energy, and dynamism inherent in the act of creation. The poet is someone who navigates through "unrecognized moltens collapsing in glass," suggesting the unpredictable and hazardous nature of delving into the unknown.

The poem then shifts to reflect on the influences and pressures that shape the poet, including "verbal range war didactics" and "territorial driftwood." These phrases suggest the external forces and historical contexts that impact the poet's voice and vision. The poet is seen as absorbing and wrestling with these influences, much like Dante and Trakl, who are mentioned as exemplars of poetic infernos.

The journey of the poet is also one of personal transformation and growth, as indicated by references to "reverential print trails" and "blasphemous nerves & upheaval." The poet is both a product of and a rebel against tradition, constantly seeking new expressions and understandings.

Throughout the poem, Alexander employs complex linguistic structures and invents new phrases, such as "black Sumatran solar psychosis" and "conspiracy of obscured fertility by hubris." These constructions create a sense of disorientation and challenge, mirroring the poet's experience of pushing linguistic and conceptual boundaries.

The poem concludes with an affirmation of the power and necessity of poetry, despite its difficulties and uncertainties. The final lines evoke a sense of relentless pursuit and constant evolution, with the poet engaged in a never-ending process of learning, experimenting, and redefining. The poem itself becomes a testament to the unyielding nature of the poetic spirit, forever seeking new ways to articulate the human experience.

Overall, "Apprenticeship" is a complex and layered exploration of the poetic process, rich in imagery and metaphor. It captures the challenges, influences, and transformative power of creating poetry, offering a deep and nuanced reflection on the journey of the poet

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