Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s poem "King of the Wood King of the Dead" interweaves mythic imagery with elemental forces to explore themes of death, transformation, and the cyclical nature of existence. The poem’s brevity and stark language invite a reading steeped in symbolism, with each line evoking layers of historical, mythological, and existential significance.

The title itself, "King of the Wood King of the Dead," alludes to ancient sacrificial rituals, particularly those associated with the "King of the Wood" archetype described by James George Frazer in "The Golden Bough". This figure often represents a dying-and-reborn god, embodying the link between life and death, fertility and decay. Olson’s choice to pair "King of the Wood" with "King of the Dead" emphasizes the inextricable connection between vitality and mortality, positioning the poem within a mythological framework.

The opening lines, "die in the grain / waste away / in the water," ground the poem in natural imagery that evokes cycles of life and decay. Grain symbolizes sustenance and growth but also death, as it must be harvested and consumed. Water, often associated with purification and renewal, here suggests erosion or dissolution. Olson’s juxtaposition of grain and water underscores the tension between creation and destruction, with life emerging from and returning to these fundamental elements.

The command "come over / the horizon" introduces a sense of movement and arrival, evoking the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The horizon serves as a boundary between the known and the unknown, the living world and the realm of the dead. By urging the subject to "come over," Olson suggests an acceptance of this transition, an acknowledgment of mortality as part of a larger, cosmic order.

The phrase "to come forth / from the earth" ties the poem to ancient resurrection myths, where the dead emerge from the earth as part of a transformative cycle. This imagery connects the figure of the "King of the Wood" to the regenerative powers of nature, where death nourishes new life. The earth becomes both a grave and a womb, highlighting its dual role as a site of decay and rebirth.

"A ramp / is trodden for you" introduces the ritualistic aspect of the poem, conjuring images of a ceremonial ascent. The ramp could symbolize the pathway to an afterlife, a sacrificial altar, or a journey toward transcendence. The use of "trodden" implies that this path has been taken before, aligning the figure in the poem with a lineage of mythic kings or archetypal figures who undergo similar fates.

The closing lines, "to Orion where he lies / with his eyes out," deepen the mythological resonance. Orion, the hunter from Greek mythology, is a constellation often associated with power, ambition, and ultimately, tragedy. The image of Orion "with his eyes out" suggests blindness or a loss of vision, perhaps signifying the limits of human understanding or the inevitability of death. This detail also recalls the mythological motif of dismemberment or maiming as part of a transformative journey, where physical destruction paves the way for spiritual renewal.

Structurally, the poem?s spare, fragmented lines mirror the austerity of its themes. Each phrase stands alone, creating a rhythmic procession that echoes the ritualistic undertones of the text. The lack of punctuation enhances the poem’s fluidity, allowing each image to flow into the next, much like the interconnected cycles of life and death it describes.

"King of the Wood King of the Dead" is a compact yet richly symbolic meditation on mortality and transformation. By drawing on mythic archetypes and elemental imagery, Olson places the human experience within a larger, universal framework. The poem’s invocation of ritual and cosmic order underscores the inevitability of death while celebrating its role in the continuity of life. It is a powerful exploration of the fragile yet enduring connections between the natural world, human existence, and the transcendent.

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