Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "O’Ryan: 9" is a gritty, unflinching examination of raw human desire, authenticity, and the tension between societal veneers and primal instincts. The poem’s conversational tone and blunt phrasing confront the reader with an unapologetic view of the human condition, stripping away pretense to expose the visceral forces that drive us.

The opening declaration, “It’s that way that’s all,” establishes an air of inevitability and resignation. Olson presents his view of life and human nature as a simple, undeniable truth—something that exists regardless of how one feels about it. This opening sets the tone for the poem’s direct and unvarnished exploration of human motivations.

The phrase “whether you like it or not” challenges the reader’s potential discomfort or denial. Olson implies that there is no escaping the fundamental realities of existence, even if one tries to “get it all prettied up.” This line critiques the societal tendency to mask or refine raw human experiences, suggesting that attempts to beautify or intellectualize life are ultimately futile.

The reference to being “that damned fool literate” and buying “store bought clothes” juxtaposes intellectual and material pretensions with the poem’s emphasis on raw, unadorned authenticity. By mocking those who rely on societal markers of sophistication—education, material goods, or refined aesthetics—Olson underscores his belief in the primacy of instinctual and unmediated experience. The disdain for “store bought clothes” further emphasizes his critique of conformity and superficiality, suggesting that true authenticity cannot be purchased or externally imposed.

The line “Don’t fool yourself” acts as a pivotal moment in the poem, urging the reader to confront their own illusions. Olson’s tone is almost admonitory, as if speaking directly to those who shy away from acknowledging the primal truths of existence.

“Underneath all them poems it’s night” introduces a striking metaphor that encapsulates the poem’s central argument. Poetry—often associated with beauty, refinement, and intellectualism—is here reduced to a surface layer, beneath which lies the darkness of night. Night symbolizes the unspoken, the primal, and the instinctual—an untamed force that exists regardless of artistic or intellectual efforts to shape it. By placing poetry in opposition to night, Olson challenges the idea that art can fully transcend or conceal the raw realities of human nature.

The closing lines, “you got a hard on and it’s to be made,” deliver the poem’s most visceral and provocative assertion. Here, Olson reduces human motivation to its most basic and physical form—desire. The imagery of sexual arousal is both literal and metaphorical, representing the driving force of creation, action, and fulfillment. The phrase “it’s to be made” suggests not only the inevitability of acting on desire but also the idea of creation as an act rooted in physicality and instinct.

Structurally, the poem’s short, abrupt lines and lack of punctuation contribute to its raw and conversational quality. The fragmented rhythm mirrors the immediacy and intensity of its themes, creating a sense of urgency that compels the reader to engage with its stark truths.

"O’Ryan: 9" is a bold and uncompromising meditation on the interplay between societal constructs and primal instincts. Through its direct language and evocative imagery, Olson challenges readers to confront the raw, unpolished forces that underlie human existence. By rejecting pretense and embracing the night beneath the poems, Olson asserts the primacy of authenticity, instinct, and desire in shaping who we are. The poem leaves a powerful impression, forcing us to grapple with the tensions between the intellectual and the physical, the refined and the raw.

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