Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Meta-A and the A of Absolutes," by Jay Wright, is an intricate and layered meditation on divinity, the human condition, and the interplay between language, knowledge, and existence. Wright explores these profound themes through a combination of abstract musings, tactile imagery, and a rhythmic interplay of opposites that underscore the complexities of identity and belief.

The poem begins with the declaration, "I write my God in blue." This opening line sets the tone for a deeply personal and symbolic journey. The choice of blue—a color often associated with depth, infinity, and spirituality—suggests a divine presence that is both intangible and ever-present. Wright?s description of gods and goddesses being "run upstream on flimsy rafts" and "bathed in foam, in moonlight" portrays them as dynamic, elusive, and deeply entwined with natural elements. This imagery connects the divine to the fluid and ephemeral aspects of existence, emphasizing the transient yet eternal nature of spiritual belief.

Throughout the poem, Wright grapples with the contradictions and limitations inherent in human understanding of the divine. His God is described as having "wings that open to no reason" and as an "orb of light leaping from a fire," suggesting an entity that transcends logic and defies categorization. This elusiveness is reinforced by the line, "Press him he bleeds. / When you take your hand to sacred water, / there is no sign of any wound," a paradoxical statement that highlights the ineffable and paradoxical nature of divinity.

The poem’s exploration of speech as a medium for understanding and expressing truth is both celebratory and critical. Wright proclaims, "Speech is the fact, and the fact is true. / What is moves, and what is moving is." This tautology underscores the limitations of language in capturing the essence of existence. While speech serves as a vehicle for reasoning and connection, Wright acknowledges its insufficiency in conveying the totality of human experience, noting, "Yet speech is not the limit of our vision."

Wright?s invocation of sensory experiences—hearing, touch, movement, and emotion—further emphasizes the body?s role as a vessel for understanding. The body becomes a dynamic medium through which knowledge is gained and life is experienced. The lines, "The skin will caress whatever tone / or temperament that rises or descends. / The bones will set themselves to a dance," suggest a visceral connection to the world that transcends linguistic articulation.

At the heart of the poem is a celebration of contradiction and transformation. Wright writes, "We cling to these contradictions. / We know we will become our contradictions." This acknowledgment of human complexity aligns with the poem’s broader theme of acceptance—of both light and darkness, movement and stillness, knowing and unknowing. The poet finds solace in this duality, embracing the tensions that define existence.

The refrain-like quality of "I am good" punctuates the poem, marking moments of self-realization and harmony. These statements ground the abstract reflections in lived experience, emphasizing the importance of connection, care, and understanding. Wright finds goodness in actions as varied as "trading shells," "learning the world through the touch of my present body," and "hearing the changes in my body / echo all my changes down the years." These acts, though mundane, are imbued with spiritual significance, illustrating how the divine is accessible through everyday life.

The poem culminates in the affirmation of "the A of absolutes," a metaphorical logbook of human judgment and morality. By framing absolutes as "the good sign," Wright suggests that the pursuit of understanding—despite its inherent contradictions and limitations—is itself a virtuous and meaningful endeavor. This final stanza ties together the poem’s themes, asserting that truth lies not in fixed answers but in the ongoing process of exploration and acceptance.

"Meta-A and the A of Absolutes" is a testament to Wright’s ability to weave philosophical inquiry with poetic imagination. His use of rich imagery, rhythmic repetition, and a deeply introspective voice invites readers to reflect on their own relationship with the divine, the body, and the world around them. The poem’s embrace of ambiguity and contradiction mirrors the complexities of life itself, offering a vision of spirituality that is as dynamic and multifaceted as human existence.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...