Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's poem "Magnificat" is a powerful and evocative exploration of growth, sacrifice, and the destructive potential of unchecked adoration. The poem opens with the image of a figure—likely a woman—nourishing an infant who quickly grows enormous from her endless supply of milk. This growth is described as miraculous yet ominous, as the infant's increasing size and hunger begin to overshadow the landscape, draining it of its color and vitality. The followers of this figure, drawn like ants in their devotion, admire his insatiable hunger, perceiving it as a form of magnificence.

As the followers continue to feed the growing giant, they progress from offering animals to offering their own kin, driven by a sense of shame in their own hunger and a belief in the beauty of the giant's boundless appetite. This act of self-denudation, however, eventually leads to their own depletion. When they have nothing left to give, a collective realization and rage build within them, culminating in a prophecy-like declaration that they must kill the giant to reclaim what they lost. This turning point highlights a cycle of adoration leading to destruction, and ultimately rebellion against what they once revered.

The poem then shifts to the perspective of a hooded mourner, likely the nurturing figure who initially fed the giant, now grieving the consequences of her actions. The slow, unending rain suggests a continuous sorrow and mourning for what has transpired. The poem poses questions about the nature of this mourning and the identities of those involved, subtly implying a broader commentary on human behavior and societal patterns.

Wilner extends the metaphor to a modern context, drawing a parallel between the ancient story and contemporary society's fascination with new giants—corporations and technological entities that grow on intangible resources like airwaves and cyberspace. These modern giants, like the one in the narrative, sow darkness and destruction, affecting boardrooms and landscapes alike, illustrating how history repeats itself in different forms.

The poem's rich imagery and allegorical elements convey a deep reflection on the consequences of unchecked power and devotion, the cyclical nature of history, and the human propensity to both create and destroy. The transformation from a nurturing relationship to one of devastation and mourning serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile balance between growth and sustainability, and the perilous path of idolizing insatiable appetites, whether they are physical, material, or ideological.

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