Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Album - A Runthru" by Clark Coolidge is a captivating exploration of memory, time, and identity through the lens of a photo album. The poem weaves together snapshots of the speaker's life, blending personal history with broader cultural references and the passage of time. Coolidge's work is known for its innovative use of language, and this poem is no exception, presenting a collage of images that evoke a sense of nostalgia, introspection, and the surreal juxtapositions that define human experience.

The poem begins with the speaker looking back on photographs, each capturing moments that range from the mundane to the monumental. The mention of "my father, I’m looking at, is my / age then and thin," immediately establishes a reflective tone, connecting the speaker's present to his father's past. This theme of generational continuity and change recurs throughout the poem, as the speaker navigates through various stages of his own life.

Coolidge employs vivid imagery and unusual associations to bring the photographs to life. Descriptions like "legs aparthand on chin / war on the roof," "shadows of rosevines," and "a cat" sitting beneath a human subject imbue the scenes with a surreal quality, emphasizing the way memories can become distorted or imbued with new meaning over time. The juxtaposition of images—such as a child playing with trains, a young man in a "dark green fedora," and later, scenes of exploration and discovery in caves and outdoor settings—illustrate the speaker's evolving sense of self and the world around him.

The poem also reflects on the nature of memory and how it is captured and distorted by photography. Phrases like "double and overexposed," "blurry shoes on sandstone steps," and "flashlight brighter than my face" speak to the limitations of photography as a medium for capturing reality. Yet, these imperfections also contribute to the unique beauty and mystery of each image, suggesting that our memories, too, are shaped by the fragments and shadows of past experiences.

Throughout the poem, Coolidge weaves in references to cultural icons and personal heroes, linking the speaker's individual story to a larger cultural narrative. The mention of "the Surreptitious Adventures of / Nightstick" and jazz music ("the drum call of a black rooster") connects the personal to the communal, highlighting the influence of art and culture on the formation of identity.

"Album - A Runthru" culminates in a reflection on the ongoing journey of life, marked by continuous change and the search for meaning. The speaker's movement from childhood to adulthood, from innocence to experience, and from observation to participation, mirrors the universal human quest for connection and understanding. The closing images—of family, music, and the natural world—underscore the enduring power of love, creativity, and the environment in shaping who we are.

Through its intricate tapestry of images and emotions, "Album - A Runthru" offers a profound meditation on the ways in which our lives are composed of myriad moments, each contributing to the complex album of our existence. Coolidge's poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories, the fleeting nature of time, and the indelible impact of the past on the present.

POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/55438/album-a-runthru

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