Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Desk Dreams" by Rita Dove is a reflective and vividly descriptive poem that takes the reader on a journey through various settings around the world, each represented by a different desk. The poem explores the intimate spaces of creativity and the internal experiences of the poet as she engages with her surroundings. Each location brings its own atmosphere, challenges, and inspirations, which are conveyed through the details surrounding each desk.

Tempe, Arizona

In Tempe, the poem begins with a focus on the sensory experience of the wood of the desk and the poet's connection to it through her "migratory pen." The phrase "honeyed wood with one eye widening the grain" suggests both warmth and an organic, almost living presence of the desk. The mention of "unconscious solitude" highlights the solitary nature of writing, paired with a serene backdrop where "afternoons belong to the cicada calling down to her cousins in yellow Mexico." This setting paints a picture of solitude that is comforting and rich with the uninterrupted sounds of nature, emphasizing a sense of deep connection to the environment.

Paris, France

The scene shifts dramatically as Dove takes us to Paris, where the energy is palpable through the sounds of "Janis on the radio, nonstop blues" and the "Midnight traffic from Gare du Nord." Unlike the natural and serene backdrop of Tempe, Paris pulses with human activity and the rhythm of the city. The "three stories of rain" add a layer of romantic yet chaotic texture to the scene, influencing the creative process differently than the quiet of Arizona.

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

In North Carolina, the setting becomes more confined: "White-bricked cell. One leafy, appreciative plant." The description of the space as a cell suggests restriction, but the presence of a plant shows life and appreciation for small touches of nature. The desk here is "General issue," and the balcony "leading nowhere" contrasts with the limitless possibilities of imagination, as "the eye travels deep into androgynous green." This setting reflects a blend of mundane physical confines with the expansive nature of thought and creativity.

Bellagio, Italy

Finally, in Bellagio, Italy, the desk setting transforms into "an earthbound turret or a periscope thrust through the earth's omphalos," suggesting a fantastical and almost magical quality to the creative space. This dramatic imagery signifies a deep plunge into the creative psyche, "writing my way out on a spiral of poems." The surroundings are both grand and introspective, with "sleek as a shell's" walls and the vast "Cyclopean blue" of the lake contrasted with the "lesser mirror of an artificial pond." The question about the goldfish—whether they grow to fit their containers—serves as a metaphor for the adaptability and potential expansiveness of the creative mind, regardless of physical limitations.

Through "Desk Dreams," Rita Dove explores how physical spaces and environments influence the internal landscape of creativity. Each desk, each location holds a unique set of sensory details and atmospheres that seep into the process of writing. Dove’s use of vivid, immersive imagery invites readers to consider how our surroundings can shape artistic expression and the flow of ideas.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Collected_Poems_1974_2004/fRyZCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

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