Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Rain," by Kenneth Fearing, is a vivid and imaginative poem that explores the mysterious joy of dragons amidst a rainy world. By juxtaposing the fantastical imagery of dragons with the mundane yet poignant image of a man reading indoors, Fearing crafts a poem that touches on themes of introspection, perception, and the recursive nature of art and imagination.

The poem opens with a surprising assertion that sets the tone for the fantastical imagery that follows: "Dragons love the world in rain." The concept of dragons reveling in rain creates an atmosphere of mysticism, suggesting a hidden world that thrives in adverse weather. Fearing immediately follows this line with detailed imagery: "They crawl among the watery feet / Of its sheeted cliffs in coats of chain." The "watery feet" and "sheeted cliffs" suggest towering, mist-covered landscapes, while the "coats of chain" imply armor, hinting at the dragons' strength and resilience.

The poem continues to describe the dragons: "Catching glimpses of blazing scales / Through shifting pockets in the discreet / Grey rain." This description evokes a sense of mystery, as the dragons catch sight of each other's "blazing scales" through gaps in the mist, creating a fleeting yet vivid spectacle.

Fearing then moves to describe the dragons' love for spectacle: "They love to stand and look / On Saracens locked in holy wars, / Waving crimson scimitars." This image transports the reader to the world of medieval battles, where the dragons are fascinated spectators. The "Saracens" waving "crimson scimitars" convey a sense of exoticism and violence, reinforcing the dragons' attraction to dramatic scenes.

However, Fearing quickly shifts to a quieter, more introspective image: "More do they love to twist their tails / And stare in through a window-pane / At a man bent over a printed book, / Drinking from a crystal flagon." Here, the dragons' curiosity turns inward, as they peer through windows to observe a man reading. This image suggests the dragons' fascination with human intellect and leisure, contrasting the violence of the earlier scenes. The "printed book" and "crystal flagon" create a cozy, contemplative atmosphere, providing a sharp contrast to the dragons' rugged and adventurous world.

Fearing then introduces the recursive element that gives the poem its unique depth: "But nothing is like the dragon's joy / At seeing a portrait of a dragon." The dragons derive immense pleasure from seeing depictions of themselves, and this joy becomes even more profound when "Crawling in rain, catching sight, / Through mist, of blazing scales that stain / The watery cliffs." The repetition of the imagery from the beginning of the poem suggests a cycle of self-perception, where the dragons see themselves reflected in art and imagination.

The poem concludes with the dragons "watching the fray / Of Saracens with scimitars bleeding, / Staring, in ecstasies that pain, / Through blurred windows on a man reading, / On portraits of dragons who crawl away / Helpless with wonder in the rain." This ending ties all the imagery together, presenting a world where dragons are simultaneously observers and observed. Their "ecstasies that pain" convey the intensity of their emotions as they witness their reflections in art and reality.

Structurally, "Rain" is composed of free verse, with varying line lengths that mirror the fluidity of the rain and the dragons' movements. The rhythmic variation adds to the fantastical atmosphere of the poem, creating a seamless blend of imagery and introspection.

In "Rain," Kenneth Fearing masterfully blends fantasy and reality, using the motif of dragons to explore themes of introspection, perception, and the joy of seeing oneself reflected in art. By combining vivid imagery with recursive storytelling, Fearing crafts a poem that invites readers into a world of wonder and mystery, where dragons marvel at the reflections of their own blazing scales in the rain.

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