Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Christopher Okigbo's poem "Lustra" is a contemplative piece that delves into themes of purification, renewal, and spiritual ascension. The poem's imagery and structure create a sense of longing for a return to a state of purity and clarity, as the speaker expresses a deep desire to reconnect with something fundamental and transformative. The title "Lustra," which can refer to a ceremonial purification or a period of five years, suggests a cyclical process of renewal and cleansing.

The poem begins with the speaker's expressed desire to "to the hills again," indicating a longing to return to a place of origin or spiritual significance. The repetition of "so would I" emphasizes the speaker's earnestness and determination to reach this place, where "springs the fountain." The fountain, often a symbol of life, purity, and renewal, represents the source of spiritual or existential sustenance. The speaker's yearning to "draw from" this fountain suggests a need to replenish or purify themselves, both physically and spiritually.

The invocation of "CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO / Bridge" within the poem acts as a self-referential moment, where the poet perhaps sees himself as a bridge between the material and the spiritual, the earthly and the divine. The bridge can also symbolize a crossing point or a transition, where the speaker moves from one state of being to another, possibly from confusion or impurity to clarity and purification.

The phrase "and to hilltop clamber body and soul / whitewashed in the moondew" evokes the idea of a spiritual journey that is both arduous and rewarding. Clambering to a hilltop is a physical act that requires effort and determination, mirroring the inner struggle to achieve spiritual elevation. The "moondew" serves as a purifying agent, "whitewashing" the speaker, which suggests a cleansing of sins or impurities, leaving the speaker in a state of renewed innocence or clarity. The hilltop, as a place of heightened perspective, offers a vantage point from which the speaker can "see from," possibly gaining insight or enlightenment.

The repetition of "so would I" in the line "from my eye the mist so would I / through moonmist to hilltop there for the cleansing" reinforces the speaker's commitment to this spiritual quest. The "mist" obscuring the speaker's vision symbolizes confusion, doubt, or the burdens of life that cloud one's perception. The desire to clear this mist and ascend through the "moonmist" to the hilltop is a metaphor for seeking clarity, truth, and spiritual purification. The hilltop represents a place where the speaker hopes to undergo a transformative experience, a "cleansing" that will restore their vision and understanding.

The poem concludes with the seemingly enigmatic image of "Here is a new-laid egg here a white hen at midterm." This closing image is rich with symbolism. The "new-laid egg" represents potential, new beginnings, and the cycle of life. The egg, as a symbol of birth and creation, aligns with the themes of renewal and purification present throughout the poem. The "white hen at midterm" suggests a point of transition or anticipation, as midterm marks the middle of a process, not yet complete but full of potential. The whiteness of the hen ties back to the theme of purity, reinforcing the idea of cleansing and renewal.

"Lustra" by Christopher Okigbo is a poem that explores the desire for spiritual renewal and the journey towards purification. Through its evocative imagery of hilltops, fountains, and mists, the poem portrays the speaker's longing to return to a state of clarity and purity, drawing on the natural world as both a symbol and a source of spiritual sustenance. The final image of the egg and the white hen encapsulates the theme of potential and renewal, suggesting that the speaker's quest is part of a larger, ongoing cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Okigbo's use of language and symbolism in "Lustra" invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the processes of cleansing and renewal that are integral to personal growth and understanding.

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