Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"When I Was the Subject" by Jordan Davis is a sprawling, intricate poem that delves into the realms of observation, reflection, and the complex interplay between the internal self and the external world. It's a vivid mosaic of urban life, personal musings, cultural references, and existential queries, all woven together to create a rich tapestry of modern existence. Through a series of seemingly disjointed yet thematically connected vignettes, Davis explores the myriad ways in which we seek to define ourselves, interact with our surroundings, and ponder the fundamental questions of life.

The poem begins with an assertion of the "cranky extravagance" of existence, immediately situating the reader in a world where the mundane and the profound coexist and inform each other. This sets the stage for a poem that moves fluidly between different scenes and subjects, from the simple joy of observing city life to the deeper, more introspective considerations of what it means to be alive in a rapidly changing world.

Throughout the poem, Davis employs a wide array of imagery and scenarios, each serving as a window into the speaker's mind and the world they inhabit. The references to mundane objects and everyday scenes—a note card on the floor, Christmas lights, a woman wearing a stone necklace, a cat that must be approached with patience—serve as touchstones for broader reflections on love, knowledge, beauty, and the transient nature of human experience.

One of the poem's recurring themes is the idea of observation as a form of participation. The speaker's detailed descriptions of people, objects, and moments in the cityscape suggest a deep engagement with the world, even as they maintain the distance of an observer. This tension between involvement and detachment mirrors the broader human condition, where we are at once part of the world and apart from it, seeking connection and understanding in a complex, often confusing reality.

The poem also grapples with the challenge of communication and expression, particularly the struggle to encapsulate the fullness of experience and thought within the confines of language. The array of questions that spill forth—"Education or sex? Laundry or painting? Sadness or weight gain?"—highlight the endless quest for meaning and the often arbitrary distinctions we draw to make sense of our lives. These questions, ranging from the mundane to the profound, underscore the poem's exploration of the limits and possibilities of language as a tool for understanding and connection.

Towards its conclusion, the poem reflects on the nature of identity and the performative aspects of social existence, as seen in the speaker's imagined job interview with "so-what." This passage, both humorous and poignant, captures the existential absurdity of trying to fit oneself into predefined roles and expectations, all while yearning for genuine recognition and connection.

"When I Was the Subject" is a multifaceted exploration of the human condition, rendered through the lens of a keen observer who navigates the blurred lines between self and other, observation and participation, and the real and the imagined. Jordan Davis's poem invites readers to ponder the intricacies of their own experiences, the endless questions that define our existence, and the beauty and strangeness of the world we inhabit.

POEM TEXT: https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/jordan-davis-poets-sampler-jordan-davis/

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