Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The epigram "perché no spero," translating to "because I do not hope" from Italian, casts a poignant shadow over Basil Bunting's "Second Book of Odes: 12," adding a layer of resigned acceptance to the poem's exploration of journey, memory, and the passage of time. This epigram, echoing a sentiment of lost hope or the relinquishment of expectation, frames the narrative of the sea voyage depicted in the poem, deepening the sense of nostalgia and resignation that pervades the work.

The poem begins with a reflection on the impossibility of returning to a once-familiar quay, a place of departure and return that has been embedded in the speaker's past. The repetition of "twice" emphasizes the cyclical nature of these journeys and the unwillingness with which these departures were made, underscoring a deep connection to the place left behind. The sea, once a source of laughter, now mutters hesitantly, reflecting the changed relationship between the speaker and the vast waters they navigate.

The description of the "desolate swatchways" and the "stained, stiff, old, wrinkled and uncertain" chart speaks to the passage of time and the degradation of both physical objects and perhaps memories. These navigational tools, once reliable, now seem to contradict the known and trusted routes, mirroring the poem's theme of uncertainty and the unreliability of returning to or relying on the past.

As the speaker observes birds on the banks and contemplates the ebbing tide, there is a sense of stillness and observation amidst change, a moment of calm observation in the face of continuous movement and transformation. This juxtaposition highlights the enduring natural cycles that proceed regardless of human desires or regrets.

The decision to "heave to" in anticipation of a northwest squall represents a choice to pause and face the elements directly, acknowledging the forces beyond the speaker's control. The half moon, likened to a riding light, offers a semblance of guidance or presence, yet the speaker admits to having "no course to set," embracing aimlessness and the suspension of purpose. This acceptance of drift and the emphasis on waiting encapsulate the resignation expressed in the epigram "perché no spero," suggesting that in the absence of hope or a clear destination, there is only the experience of the present and the landscapes, both internal and external, that it reveals.

"Second Book of Odes: 12," framed by the epigram "perché no spero," becomes a meditation on the acceptance of life's impermanence and the relinquishment of the desire to return or reclaim what has been lost. Through vivid maritime imagery and a reflective tone, Basil Bunting crafts a narrative that resonates with the complexities of human emotion and the acceptance of change as an inherent aspect of existence. The poem invites readers to consider their own relationships with the past, the future, and the ever-changing currents of life.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Complete_Poems/AWq5rlXayfgC?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=perche#f=false

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