Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Howard Nemerov's poem "Nature Morte," the poet skillfully intertwines vivid imagery of a natural scene with contemplative reflections on art and time. The title, which translates to "still life" in English, sets the stage for a meditation on the intersection of nature and art, and the way they capture and preserve fleeting moments.

The opening lines immerse the reader in a lush, vibrant landscape. Bees foraging in the ajuga—a flower that forms a "low forest" on the lawn—immediately establishes a sense of bustling life. This imagery is amplified by the presence of a hummingbird, whose wings move so swiftly they appear invisible, as it hovers before a lily. Nemerov’s precise language captures the delicate beauty and energy of these creatures, painting a dynamic scene that is rich in sensory detail.

The poem then shifts to a more reflective tone, focusing on the painter who studies this lively scene. Here, Nemerov introduces the theme of stillness, describing how the artist "carves" a stillness out of the moving nature. This juxtaposition of motion and stillness is central to the poem's exploration of how art captures and freezes moments in time. The "silence of the object unobserved" suggests a duality: while nature is vibrant and full of life, it also possesses a quiet, intrinsic stillness when viewed through the lens of art.

This reflection on art’s ability to encapsulate moments is further developed in the lines describing paintings hanging in galleries, likened to "Time's own tombs." These "flat rooms" represent how paintings serve as repositories of time, preserving scenes that would otherwise be lost to the relentless forward march of time. This metaphor underscores the tension between transience and permanence, a key theme in Nemerov’s work.

The poem's auditory imagery complements its visual richness. The "oriole and tanager" captivate the eye, while a fountain's "lazy splashing" appeals to the ear. These sensory details create a multisensory experience that draws the reader into the scene, emphasizing the vividness and immediacy of the natural world.

Nemerov’s mention of "tumbling-turreted galleon clouds" invokes a sense of grandeur and timelessness, and the reference to Constable, a renowned landscape painter, connects the poem’s themes to a broader artistic tradition. Constable's ability to capture the essence of a landscape, as seen "over the silent park at Wivenhoe," serves as a touchstone for Nemerov's meditation on the role of the artist. This allusion not only situates the poem within a historical context but also highlights the enduring power of art to transcend time and preserve the beauty of the natural world.

The structure of the poem, with its seamless flow from one vivid image to the next, mirrors the continuity of nature and the persistent effort of art to capture and preserve its essence. Nemerov’s use of rhyme and meter adds to the poem’s musical quality, enhancing its reflective and contemplative mood.

In "Nature Morte," Howard Nemerov elegantly balances the lively energy of nature with the solemn stillness of art. Through his masterful use of imagery and thoughtful reflections, he invites the reader to consider the ways in which art and nature intersect and the role of the artist in capturing the fleeting moments of life. The poem stands as a testament to the power of art to distill and preserve the beauty of the natural world, offering a moment of stillness amidst the ceaseless flow of time.

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