Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Annie Finch's poem "Landing Under Water, I See Roots" is a lyrical exploration of hidden depths, memory, and the subconscious. Through the metaphor of submerged forests and growing roots, Finch explores the tension between what is visible and what lies beneath the surface.

The poem opens with a statement that hints at concealment: "All the things we hide in water / hoping we won't see them go." This line immediately establishes water as a metaphor for the subconscious or suppressed emotions, where things are hidden to avoid facing their loss. By choosing to hide them in water, there is an implication that these emotions or memories might be washed away, out of sight and out of mind.

The following lines continue with the image of forests submerged: "(forests growing under water / press against the ones we know)." Here, Finch introduces a tension between what is submerged and what remains above water. The submerged forests "press against the ones we know," suggesting that the hidden aspects of ourselves or our pasts are always pushing against our conscious minds, influencing the visible world.

The second stanza explores the potential of these hidden aspects to grow and change: "and they might have gone on growing / and they might now breathe above." The repetition of "they might" indicates uncertainty, leaving open the possibility that the submerged elements could break through to the surface. The idea that they "might now breathe above" suggests that hidden emotions or memories can resurface, becoming visible and acknowledged.

The poem concludes with a reflection on love and intention: "everything I speak of sowing / (everything I try to love)." The verb "sowing" implies intention and effort, hinting at the desire to cultivate positive emotions or relationships. However, the parenthetical repetition of "everything I try to love" introduces a note of vulnerability, acknowledging that what we attempt to nurture may be influenced by the submerged roots pressing against the surface.

Structurally, "Landing Under Water, I See Roots" is composed of two quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This regularity in form contrasts with the poem's theme of hidden depths, creating a tension between the surface structure and the underlying meaning. The use of parentheses adds a layer of introspection, emphasizing the submerged, often unspoken nature of the poem's themes.

In summary, "Landing Under Water, I See Roots" is a lyrical and introspective poem that explores the hidden aspects of memory, emotion, and the subconscious. Annie Finch uses vivid imagery and a consistent form to convey the tension between what is visible and what is concealed, offering readers a meditation on the complex nature of love, growth, and the self.

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