Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

George Oppen's poem "Five Poems About Poetry: 1. The Gesture" is a brief, contemplative exploration of the nature of poetry and the challenges inherent in the act of poetic creation. Through a series of questions and contrasts, Oppen reflects on the authenticity of artistic expression, the difference between genuine engagement with the subject matter and superficial manipulation, and the potential pitfalls of stylistic imitation.

The poem begins with a seemingly simple and straightforward question: "how does one hold an apple / Who likes apples." This line immediately introduces a metaphor for the act of engaging with something one genuinely appreciates or values. Holding an apple, an everyday object, symbolizes the approach one takes to something familiar and loved. The question suggests a need for care, understanding, and perhaps even reverence in the way one interacts with the object—much like how a poet might approach the subject of a poem.

This initial question is quickly contrasted with another: "And how does one handle / Filth?" The juxtaposition of holding an apple with handling filth introduces a dichotomy between purity and contamination, or between something cherished and something repulsive. The shift in language—from "hold" to "handle"—also implies a difference in approach; while holding suggests a delicate, intentional act, handling implies a more pragmatic, perhaps even dismissive or rough, interaction. This contrast raises questions about how a poet might grapple with difficult or unpleasant subjects and the different levels of engagement required for different types of content.

The poem continues to delve deeper into the act of grasping or understanding: "How does one hold something / In the mind which he intends / To grasp." Here, Oppen is not just concerned with physical objects but with concepts or ideas that a poet (or any thinker) seeks to understand and articulate. The word "grasp" conveys both intellectual comprehension and physical control, suggesting that the poet must carefully consider how to mentally engage with and internalize the subject matter they wish to express.

The next lines introduce the figure of a salesman: "and how does the salesman / Hold a bauble he intends / To sell?" The salesman’s handling of a bauble—something trivial or decorative—contrasts sharply with the previous, more profound considerations. The salesman’s act is utilitarian, focused on presenting the object in a way that makes it appealing to others, regardless of its intrinsic value. This image introduces the idea of superficiality, of creating an illusion of worth rather than engaging with true substance. The question implied here is whether the poet, like the salesman, might sometimes prioritize style or appearance over genuine meaning.

The poem culminates in a reflection on the state of poetry itself: "When will there not be a hundred / Poets who mistake that gesture / For a style." Oppen critiques the tendency among poets to confuse a particular gesture—a mannerism, a superficial approach—with a true, meaningful style. The "gesture" here can be understood as a superficial or hollow act that imitates depth or sincerity without truly embodying it. Oppen laments the prevalence of such gestures in poetry, where the form or appearance of profundity is mistaken for genuine insight or expression.

In "The Gesture," Oppen uses a series of contrasts—between holding and handling, grasping and selling, substance and superficiality—to explore the challenges of authentic poetic creation. The poem is a meditation on the difference between genuine engagement with the subject matter and mere stylistic imitation. Oppen’s critique of poets who "mistake that gesture for a style" serves as a warning against the dangers of prioritizing form over content, and it calls for a more sincere, thoughtful approach to the art of poetry. Through its careful questioning and layered imagery, the poem invites readers to consider the nature of their own creative processes and the importance of authenticity in artistic expression.

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