Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jonathan Williams's poem "On Cowee Ridge" is a poignant and reflective tribute to John Gordon Boyd, blending personal remembrance with literary allusions to explore themes of mortality, individuality, and the enduring resonance of human connections. Through its contemplative tone and layered references, the poem situates Boyd within a broader cultural and existential framework, celebrating his life while grappling with the mysteries of death and the divine.

The poem begins with a precise marker of time: "December 13, 1993," the date of Boyd’s death. This specificity anchors the poem in a tangible moment, emphasizing the personal significance of the event. Williams immediately connects Boyd’s passing to the birthdays of three notable writers—Heinrich Heine, Kenneth Patchen, and Ross McDonald. This literary context underscores Boyd’s intellectual and artistic affinities, suggesting that his life, too, possessed a unique creativity and depth comparable to these figures. The juxtaposition of death with birthdays further highlights the cyclical nature of life, where loss and renewal coexist.

Williams transitions to a personal reflection, asserting that Boyd was "just as remarkable" as the writers he shares this date with. The description of Boyd as "blessed with an inherent 'graciousness' / and with extraordinary eyes & ears" conveys both his character and his capacity for perception—an ability to truly see and hear the world around him. The choice of "graciousness" evokes a sense of dignity and warmth, while the emphasis on his sensory gifts suggests a profound attentiveness, perhaps to art, nature, or the human experience. By foregrounding these qualities, Williams elevates Boyd’s life to a level of enduring significance.

The poem then shifts to a consideration of texts that resonate with Boyd’s death. The first is from Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis, where Wilde writes, "Religion does not help me. / The faith that others give to what is unseen, / I give to what I can touch, and look at. / My Gods dwell in temples / made with hands." This passage reflects a secular, tactile spirituality—one rooted in the tangible world rather than the unseen promises of organized religion. By choosing this text, Williams aligns Boyd’s memory with a profound reverence for the immediate and the physical, emphasizing a life lived with presence and engagement. The invocation of Wilde’s words suggests that Boyd’s "graciousness" and perceptiveness were grounded in a similar ethos: an appreciation for what could be experienced and cherished directly.

Williams then evokes Rainier Maria Rilke, Boyd’s favorite poet, quoting two lines that encapsulate the grief and existential questioning prompted by his death: Was tun Sie, Gott, / Wenn ich bin stürbe? ("What will you do, / God, when I am dead?"). Rilke’s lines confront God with the inevitability of loss, suggesting that even the divine must contend with the absence of a unique individual. This question challenges traditional notions of omnipotence, reframing death not as a separation from God but as a profound change that leaves an indelible mark on the divine itself. By quoting Rilke, Williams honors Boyd’s intellectual and spiritual affinities while elevating his passing to a cosmic scale, as if to say that Boyd’s death is not just a personal loss but one that reverberates through existence.

The structure of the poem mirrors its themes of reflection and resonance. Its fragmented yet cohesive form allows each element—date, literary allusion, personal reflection, and philosophical questioning—to stand on its own while contributing to the larger narrative. The spacing and use of ellipses create pauses that invite contemplation, mimicking the rhythms of memory and mourning. The inclusion of Wilde and Rilke’s words gives the poem a dialogic quality, weaving Boyd’s life and death into a larger conversation about mortality and meaning.

Thematically, "On Cowee Ridge" explores the intersection of personal grief and universal questions about death and the divine. By situating Boyd alongside literary and philosophical giants, Williams emphasizes the enduring significance of an individual life, even in the face of mortality. The poem also reflects on how art and literature provide solace and insight during times of loss, offering a framework for understanding the complexities of existence.

In conclusion, "On Cowee Ridge" by Jonathan Williams is a heartfelt and intellectually rich tribute to John Gordon Boyd, blending personal memory with literary allusions to create a meditation on life, death, and the enduring power of human connection. Through its careful structure and evocative language, the poem honors Boyd’s remarkable qualities while situating his passing within a broader existential and cultural context. The result is a work that celebrates both the uniqueness of an individual life and the universal questions that arise in its absence.

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