Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Invention of the Saxophone" by Billy Collins is a richly evocative poem that delves into the creation of the saxophone, its unique sound, and the imagery it conjures in the collective imagination. Through the lens of this musical invention by Adolphe Sax in 1842, Collins explores themes of innovation, the allure of the nocturnal, and the deep, emotional resonance of music. The poem is not just a historical recounting but a lyrical meditation on the saxophone's place in culture and its profound impact on listeners and dreamers alike.

Collins begins by setting the scene in 1842 with Adolphe Sax assembling the saxophone's distinctive features—its serpentine shape, the single reed, the ergonomic fit of the fingers, and the upward tilt of the golden bell. The mention of it being "very late at night" immediately ties the instrument to the night, suggesting its sounds are inherently linked to darkness and the unknown. This connection is further emphasized by describing the saxophone's sound as "nocturnal" and "literally horny," invoking its deep, resonant tones that seem to speak directly to the human psyche.

The poem skillfully contrasts the saxophone's sound with the quiet of a "small, darkened town," where its first notes are imagined to ripple through the night. These initial sounds are depicted as enchanting, drawing insomniacs to their windows while leaving those asleep undisturbed, a metaphor for the saxophone's ability to stir the soul of some while bypassing others untouched. This dichotomy speaks to the deeply personal experience of music, where certain sounds can awaken profound feelings in one person while leaving another indifferent.

Collins further explores the saxophone's emotive power by characterizing it as "the smoky voice of longing and loss" and "the porpoise cry of the subconscious." These descriptions elevate the instrument beyond mere wood and brass, imbuing it with the capacity to articulate the inexpressible aspects of human experience—our deepest yearnings, our sense of loss, and the stirrings of our subconscious minds.

The poem then transitions into more metaphysical reflections, contemplating the saxophone's role in the grand scheme of existence. The mention of Gabriel, the biblical angel traditionally associated with the trumpet, suggests a juxtaposition between the trumpet's clarion call to awakening or judgment and the saxophone's more earthly, sensual allure. Collins imagines a scenario where even at the end of the world, the saxophone's music would not serve to summon the dead to judgment but to envelop them in a state of reflective, melancholic beauty.

"Invention of the Saxophone" closes on a poignant note, with the resurrected lying in "long cemetery grass" or leaning "against a lugubrious yew," allowing the music to ascend spiritually while they remain grounded. This final image captures the essence of the saxophone's appeal as described throughout the poem: its ability to elevate the spirit and stir the emotions without severing ties to the earth and the corporeal. Collins's work is a tribute to the saxophone's inventor and to the instrument's enduring power to evoke, console, and connect with the deepest parts of ourselves, even as it leaves us tethered to the tangible world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/148012/the-invention-of-the-saxophone

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