Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "Lalage" is a vibrant, kinetic poem that celebrates movement, performance, and the interplay between sensuality and art. Through the image of Lalage, a circus performer whose legs become a focal point of energy and transformation, Olson evokes themes of feminine power, artistic grace, and the cyclical nature of time and creativity. The poem is both a visceral celebration of the human body in motion and a meditation on the larger forces—artistic, mythic, and historical—that such motion can symbolize.

The poem begins with the repeated phrase, "The legs of Lalage toss, and toss, and toss," immediately immersing the reader in a sense of rhythm and motion. The repetition mimics the hypnotic and continuous movement of a performer in the circus, drawing attention to the centrality of the body in this act. Lalage?s legs are described in active, dynamic terms: they "whip," "snap shut," and "curl." These verbs convey not just physical movement but a kind of controlled chaos, a tension between freedom and discipline. Olson’s use of visceral, physical imagery emphasizes the immediacy of the performance, making Lalage?s presence vivid and electric.

The description of Lalage?s movements against "the canvas of the circus sky" situates her performance in an almost mythic space, where the boundaries between the human and the extraordinary blur. The "circus sky" suggests a world of heightened reality, a space of spectacle and transformation. Lalage?s movements are not confined to the ground but take place in the air, defying gravity and evoking a sense of transcendence. Her body becomes a medium for art, her movements described as "her body?s plange / the new gratuity." The word "plange," derived from Latin "plangere" (to strike or beat), evokes both the physicality of her act and the emotional resonance it produces. The "new gratuity" suggests that Lalage?s performance offers something unexpected, a gift of beauty and wonder that emerges from her dynamic motion.

Olson invokes the French language—phrases like "une porte aux bras," "une pointe," and "le grand tourner"—to frame Lalage’s performance in terms of elegance and refinement. These terms, borrowed from ballet and acrobatics, underscore the precision and artistry of her movements. At the same time, they lend the poem an international, cosmopolitan flair, suggesting that Lalage’s act transcends cultural boundaries. Her "swing inverted / fouette on stage of revolutionary night" connects her performance to larger historical and symbolic contexts. The phrase "revolutionary night" hints at transformation and upheaval, suggesting that Lalage’s act is not merely entertainment but a metaphor for broader cycles of change and renewal.

Olson’s invocation of Horace and the classical name "Lalagea" situates the poem in a literary and mythic tradition. Lalage, in Horace’s "Odes", represents a beloved figure, a muse associated with love and joy. By recalling this classical reference, Olson links Lalage’s performance to the timeless themes of love, beauty, and the creative impulse. The circular motion described in the poem—"en rond en rond, as time does turn / as she turns"—reinforces the idea of continuity and eternal recurrence. Lalage?s act becomes a symbol of the cyclical nature of art, life, and time, where each turn of her body mirrors the turning of the world.

The poem’s structure mirrors its thematic focus on movement and rhythm. The short, fragmented lines create a sense of motion and immediacy, mimicking the quick, fluid movements of Lalage herself. The repetition of her name—"Lalage! Lalage!"—functions as a refrain, echoing the chants and rhythms of a circus performance or a poetic ode. This repetition builds a hypnotic cadence, pulling the reader into the physical and emotional intensity of the scene.

Olson’s language throughout is richly tactile and sensory, emphasizing the physicality of Lalage?s act. Words like "whip," "snap," "stir," and "toss" evoke both the grace and the force of her movements, while the imagery of her "legs une porte aux bras" (legs a door to her arms) suggests a seamless integration of body and motion. This melding of parts into a cohesive whole reflects the artistry and discipline required to create such a performance, elevating Lalage’s act to a metaphor for artistic creation itself.

"Lalage" ultimately celebrates the transformative power of performance and the human body. Lalage, through her movements, becomes more than an individual; she embodies art, beauty, and the cyclical flow of time and creativity. Olson captures her vitality and grace with a sense of reverence and wonder, offering the reader not just a description of a performance but an immersive experience of its energy and significance. The poem leaves us with the enduring image of Lalage turning, high above the ground, her movements a testament to the enduring power of art to captivate and transcend.

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