Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

FIRST BOOK OF ODES: 7., by BASIL BUNTING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"First Book of Odes: 7." by Basil Bunting captures a moment of personal reflection against the backdrop of a Whitsun holiday, blending observations of the mundane with a critical commentary on societal and political stagnation. Through vivid imagery and sharp contrasts, Bunting weaves a narrative that reflects on the disparities between celebration and the reality of life in urban settings.

The poem opens with a domestic scene: "The day being Whitsun we had pigeon for dinner;" this line sets the stage with a reference to Whitsun, or Pentecost, a Christian holiday commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. The mention of pigeon for dinner adds a touch of the ordinary and perhaps a hint of austerity to the occasion, contrasting the spiritual or celebratory significance of the day with the simplicity of the meal.

The poem then shifts to a description of Richmond and its surroundings, where the natural beauty of the river is marred by the reflection of a "mudmirrored mackintosh," an image that conveys the intrusion of the dreary and damp into the landscape. Bunting's depiction of a "wet southwest" wiping and smearing dampness over Twickenham further emphasizes the dreariness of the day, with weather that dampens both the physical environment and, metaphorically, the spirit.

"Pools on the bustop's buttoned tarpaulin" and the listing of locations such as Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Clapham, and the Oval ground the poem in the specificity of London's geography, marking a journey through its suburbs and iconic sites. The reference to Westminster Palace and the disdainful remark, "where the asses jaw!" introduces a critique of political discourse, suggesting a disconnect between the governing bodies and the lived realities of the people.

The poem laments the "Endless disappointed buckshee-hunt!"—a phrase that could be interpreted as a critique of consumer culture or the endless pursuit of something for nothing, which ultimately leads to disappointment. This sentiment extends to the observation of the "Suburb and city giftless garden and street," painting a picture of urban life that lacks vitality or genuine community.

Bunting's critique sharpens with the lines, "and the sky alight of an evening stubborn and mute by day and never rei novae inter rudes artium homines," suggesting that despite the occasional beauty of the sky at night, there is a persistent dullness and lack of innovation or rebellion ("never a spark of sedition / amongst the uneducated workingmen"). The Latin phrase "rei novae inter rudes artium homines" roughly translates to "revolution among men unskilled in the arts," indicating a longing for transformative change that fails to materialize among the working class.

"First Book of Odes: 7." presents a snapshot of a Whitsun holiday that serves as a lens through which to explore themes of disillusionment, the monotony of urban life, and the absence of meaningful political or social upheaval. Bunting's use of specific imagery and locations anchors the poem in a particular time and place, while his commentary transcends the immediate context to address broader issues of human aspiration and societal inertia.

POEM TEXT:

The day being Whitsun we had pigeon for dinner;

but Richmond in the pitted river saw

mudmirrored mackintosh, a wet southwest

wiped and smeared dampness over Twickenham.

Pools on the bustop's buttoned tarpaulin.

Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Clapham, the Oval. 'Lo,

Westminster Palace where the asses jaw!'

Endless disappointed buckshee-hunt!

Suburb and city giftless garden and street,

and the sky alight of an evening stubborn

and mute by day and never rei novae