Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Watching Football on TV" captures the multifaceted experience of viewing football, blending observations on the nature of the sport with deeper reflections on societal values and human behavior. Through its seven parts, the poem juxtaposes the ritualistic and commercial aspects of football with its physical and emotional drama, creating a rich tapestry of commentary.

I

The poem begins with the evolution of football viewership: "It used to be only Sunday afternoons, / But people have got more devoted now." This increased devotion transforms the living room into a sacred space, where families gather to witness the spectacle. The "polished box alive with silver light" symbolizes the television, which commands attention with its "moving shadows." Football, now a frequent event, permeates the collective consciousness, becoming more than just a pastime.

II

Nemerov describes the players in vivid, almost mythic terms: "Totemic scarabs, exoskeletal, / Nipped in at the thorax, bulky above and below." These descriptions elevate the athletes to a near-superhuman status, their movements and physicality reminiscent of ancient warriors. Despite their formidable appearance, they are still human, "more injured too," bearing the physical toll of their profession. The comparison to beetles, both distant and close-up, highlights the duality of their existence as both idols and ordinary men.

III

The rules of the game are highlighted to underscore the structured violence inherent in football: "Grabbing at anybody's mask will be / A personal foul and incur a penalty." The meticulous regulation of aggression reflects society's attempt to control and channel human impulses. Yet, the underlying brutality persists, symbolized by the "charging bull" on the coin, with its singular, primal command: "Kill." This duality of order and chaos is central to the sport's appeal and its reflection of societal norms.

IV

Nemerov draws parallels between football and classical mythology, invoking Priam and Agamemnon to frame the game as a modern-day epic: "Is it / The Game of Troy again?" However, he quickly dismisses this romantic notion, pointing to the pervasive influence of money: "Money is the name of the game." The poem critiques both players and owners, exposing the mercenary motivations behind the sport. This cynical view is tempered by a reminder of the intimate, almost reverential moments within the game, such as the quarterback's "suppliant hands under the center's butt."

V

Despite the commercialism, the poem acknowledges the genuine drama and skill involved in football: "We watch all afternoon, we are enthralled / To what? some drama of the body and / The intellectual soul?" The chaotic moments of the game, where players become entangled, contrast with the occasional flashes of brilliance. These moments of clarity and athleticism provide a visceral thrill, connecting viewers to a sense of shared human endeavor and triumph.

VI

Nemerov celebrates the technical mastery required in football, particularly the art of passing: "A football wants to wobble, that's its shape / And nature, and to make it spiral true / 's a triumph in itself." The precision and grace involved in executing a perfect pass symbolize the overcoming of natural limitations. This achievement resonates with viewers, evoking "lost nostalgic visions of themselves" and a yearning for grace and transcendence amidst the harsh realities of life.

VII

The poem concludes with a reflection on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of the sport: "Each year brings rookies and makes veterans, / They have their dead by now, their wounded as well." Football, like life, involves the rise and fall of heroes, the creation of legends, and the inevitable decline of even the greatest players. The endless replays and stories blend into a "vast remembered game," where individual moments lose their distinctiveness. Despite this, the poem acknowledges the enduring power of football to evoke memories and emotions, even as the spectacle becomes familiar.

"Watching Football on TV" by Howard Nemerov is a nuanced exploration of the sport's impact on both individual and collective consciousness. Through detailed imagery and reflective commentary, Nemerov captures the complexity of football as a cultural phenomenon, balancing its ritualistic elements with its commercial underpinnings, and its moments of grace with its inherent violence. The poem invites readers to consider the deeper meanings behind the spectacle, and the ways in which it mirrors broader societal themes.

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