Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Structure of Rime II" by Robert Duncan is a philosophically rich and metaphorically dense poem that examines the essence of poetic creation and its profound impact on both the poet and the environment. Through a series of dialogues involving symbolic figures, Duncan explores the relationship between language, nature, and the cosmos, deeply engaging with the poetic concept known as the "structure of rime."

The poem begins with the speaker questioning the nature of the "Structure of Rime," a query that suggests an exploration into the fundamental principles of poetry and its organizing structures. The response comes from "The Messenger in guise of a Lion," who roars a challenge, questioning why humanity withdraws its creative expressions from the world ("Why does man retract his song from the impoverishd air?"). This powerful imagery of a lion as a messenger invokes the majestic and authoritative nature of the animal, symbolizing the fierce and primal force of poetic inspiration.

The lion's question points to a hesitation or fear among humans to fully engage with their creative impulses ("Does he so fear beautiful compulsion?"). This line suggests that there is an inherent fear of the overwhelming power and responsibility that come with the act of creation, particularly the creation of art that engages deeply with the world.

The speaker, adopting the "guise of a Lion," then responds by roaring out "great vowels" and marveling at their "amazing patterns," an act that signifies the embrace of poetic expression and the recognition of its beauty and complexity. This reflects the transformative power of poetry, which can articulate deep and profound truths in stunningly beautiful forms.

A "lion without disguise" counters this perspective by criticizing those who use their song merely to charm or manipulate, marking a distinction between genuine artistic expression and that which is contrived or deceitful ("He that sang to charm the beasts was false of tongue"). This introduces a moral dimension to the poem, highlighting the ethics of artistic expression.

The poem continues to delve deeper into the philosophy of poetry with the statement that "There is a melody within this surfeit of speech that is most man." This line suggests that within the abundance of human language, there is a core melody or truth that is quintessentially human, capturing the essence of human experience and emotion.

Returning to the initial question about the structure of rime, another profound answer is provided, this time from "The Lion in the Zodiac," who equates the movement of the actual stars to music in the real world. This cosmic perspective—"The actual stars moving are music in the real world"—ties the creation of poetry to the music of the spheres, an ancient philosophical concept that regards the movements of the celestial bodies as a form of divine symphony.

In "The Structure of Rime II," Duncan skillfully weaves together mythological, astrological, and poetic elements to craft a meditation on the nature of artistic creation. The dialogue format allows for a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, reflecting the complexity and depth of poetic inquiry. The poem itself becomes a metaphysical exploration of how poetry, like the stars, moves within a larger, harmonious structure, echoing the fundamental rhythms and patterns of the universe.

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