Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Common Saw" reflects on the complexities of faith, the human desire for spiritual certainty, and the often ironic nature of personal belief systems. Through a blend of literary allusion, personal confession, and vivid imagery, Nemerov explores the tension between the longing for divine approval and the mundane reality of human existence.

The poem opens with a quotation from Shakespeare’s "King Lear," setting a tone of royal authority and divine benediction. The lines, "Good king, that must approve the common saw, / Thou out of heaven's benediction comest / To the warm sun!" suggest a transition from divine favor to earthly warmth, implying a shift from lofty ideals to practical realities.

Nemerov then begins his personal reflection: "Had God but made me a religious man / I'd have it made." This conditional statement sets up a wistful and somewhat ironic tone, as the speaker imagines an alternate reality where faith comes easily. The mention of the suburb with its "ample choice of synagogues / And seven different Christianities" highlights the plurality and accessibility of religious options, suggesting a landscape where spiritual fulfillment should be readily attainable.

The speaker's hypothetical commitment to attend "everyone / In turn, continuous performances" underscores a sense of religious consumerism, where spiritual practices are sampled and consumed like entertainment. The variety of religious experiences—"Confession and yarmulka, incense, candlelight, / High, low, and broad, reform and orthodox"—emphasizes the richness and diversity of religious traditions, yet also hints at their interchangeability and the speaker's detachment from them.

The line "Allowing God no possible way out / But my salvation" humorously suggests a scenario where the speaker’s diligent participation in all religious practices would leave God no choice but to grant salvation. This playful assertion highlights the speaker's awareness of the transactional view of religion, where devotion is expected to yield divine favor.

However, the speaker admits, "save that God did not / Make me a religious man, but left me here, / From heaven's blessing come to the warm sun." This confession reveals a fundamental truth: the speaker is not inherently religious and is instead left to navigate life without the certainty of divine approval. The repetition of the "warm sun" from the opening quotation brings the focus back to earthly reality and the acceptance of one’s natural disposition.

The final lines, "Twined round the pinkie and pinned under the thumb / Of Dame Kind dear and beautiful and dumb," personify nature (or fate) as a nurturing yet oblivious force. "Dame Kind" represents the human condition—dear and beautiful in its simplicity, but also indifferent to the individual's spiritual aspirations. The imagery of being "twined round the pinkie and pinned under the thumb" suggests a sense of being controlled or confined by natural forces, yet also cherished and protected in a maternal embrace.

"Common Saw" by Howard Nemerov eloquently captures the paradox of spiritual longing and the acceptance of human limitations. Through its reflective and ironic tone, the poem delves into the human desire for divine approval and the multifaceted nature of religious experience. Nemerov's exploration of these themes invites readers to consider the complexities of faith, the diversity of religious expression, and the inherent beauty of accepting one's place in the natural world.

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