Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jorge Luis Borges' poem "Everness" explores the themes of memory, existence, and the eternal nature of reality, reflecting on the idea that nothing is truly lost to oblivion. Through intricate imagery and philosophical depth, Borges presents a universe where everything—every moment, every shadow, every action—continues to exist in a vast, crystalline memory, preserved by a divine consciousness.

The poem begins with the assertion, "One thing does not exist: Oblivion." Borges immediately challenges the common belief that time erases all things, suggesting instead that oblivion, or complete forgetfulness, is an illusion. In this universe, nothing is truly forgotten; every element of existence is preserved. The line "God saves the metal and he saves the dross" further emphasizes this idea, with "metal" symbolizing the valuable or significant aspects of existence, and "dross" representing the seemingly insignificant or worthless. Borges posits that in the grand scheme of the universe, both are equally important and are kept safe in God's "prophetic memory."

Borges then describes this divine memory as guarding "the moons to come, and those of evenings gone." This line evokes a sense of timelessness, where past, present, and future are all preserved within the same eternal memory. The universe, as Borges sees it, holds onto everything—every moment, every event, and every experience, regardless of when it occurred.

The poem continues with a reflection on the transitory nature of human actions: "Everything is: the shadows in the glass / Which, in between the day’s two twilights, you / Have scattered by the thousands, or shall strew / Henceforward in the mirrors that you pass." Here, Borges likens our actions and moments to "shadows in the glass," transient and fleeting, yet still part of the larger, enduring reality. These shadows, which we leave behind in the mirrors we pass, symbolize the traces of our existence that are recorded and remembered by the universe.

Borges further elaborates on this idea with the line "And everything is part of that diverse / Crystalline memory, the universe." The "crystalline memory" serves as a metaphor for the universe's perfect and unchanging recollection of all things. Just as a crystal reflects light in many directions, this memory reflects and preserves every aspect of existence, creating an interconnected and eternal whole.

As the poem progresses, Borges introduces the concept of journeying through this eternal memory: "Whoever through its endless mazes wanders / Hears door on door click shut behind his stride." This imagery of wandering through mazes suggests the complexity and vastness of the universe's memory, where each step taken closes off a part of the past, yet those steps are never truly lost. The closing doors symbolize the irreversible nature of time and the finality of each moment, yet they also reinforce the idea that every moment continues to exist in some form, even as we move forward.

The poem concludes with a vision of ultimate revelation: "And only from the sunset’s farther side / Shall view at last the Archetypes and the Splendors." Here, Borges suggests that it is only after the journey through life—symbolized by reaching the "sunset’s farther side," or the end of life—that one can finally perceive the "Archetypes and the Splendors." These "Archetypes" represent the fundamental, eternal forms that underlie all existence, while the "Splendors" refer to the ultimate truths and beauties that can only be understood from a perspective beyond life.

"Everness" is a profound meditation on the nature of time, memory, and existence. Borges challenges the notion of oblivion, proposing instead that everything, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is preserved in the vast, eternal memory of the universe. The poem suggests that our lives, our actions, and our experiences are all part of a greater, interconnected reality that transcends the boundaries of time. Through this lens, Borges invites the reader to consider the enduring impact of every moment and the possibility of a deeper understanding that lies beyond the limits of our earthly existence.

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