Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Teach Me" by Donald (Grady) Davidson is a reflective sonnet that invokes the wisdom of the natural world as a counterpoint to human folly and impatience. Through this invocation, the speaker expresses a desire to learn the enduring lessons of nature’s cycles, its resilience, and its inherent beauty that transcends the transient concerns of humanity.

The poem opens with a direct address to the "old World," positioning it as a mentor capable of imparting the "passion of slow change" and a calm that remains unaffected by the frenetic pace of human life. The "calm of stars" serves as a metaphor for a perspective that is vast, enduring, and serene, in contrast to the short-sighted and often chaotic endeavors of mankind. The speaker recognizes the world's patience, even in the face of significant upheaval ("The mad red crash of each new system’s birth"), suggesting a desire to understand and embrace the cyclical nature of existence rather than resist it.

In the second quatrain, the speaker articulates a longing to comprehend the nuanced beauty of the world—a beauty that evolves with "each changing sun" and offers a form of perfection beyond human achievement. This acknowledgment of the world's ever-changing beauty underscores a humility and a willingness to see beyond immediate appearances to the deeper, more constant processes at work in nature.

The third quatrain critiques the inadequacies of human teachings ("Unpatient song, nor words of hollow brass"), which often fail to capture the essence of the world's wisdom. The mention of "men’s dismay" points to a common existential angst, a fixation on mortality that overlooks the broader continuity of life and the universe. By contrasting this with the desire to learn from the world itself, the speaker rejects the pessimism and limitation of purely human perspectives.

The final couplet succinctly captures the speaker's plea for enlightenment and a departure from human folly ("Teach me, old World, I would not be man’s fool"). This line reveals a yearning for a deeper, more meaningful engagement with the world, one that is informed by the enduring principles of nature rather than the fleeting doctrines of humanity.

Overall, "Teach Me" is a meditation on the limitations of human knowledge and the potential for wisdom that lies in observing and aligning with the natural world. Davidson's sonnet is both a humble request for guidance and a critique of human arrogance, advocating for a more profound, patient, and respectful approach to understanding our place within the vast tapestry of existence.

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