Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Blue Spruce" is a rich tapestry of imagery and metaphor, weaving together themes of memory, nature, and the interplay between light and darkness. The poem explores the symbolic significance of the blue spruce tree, juxtaposing it against various elements of human experience and the natural world.

The poem begins with a declaration of love for a "nevergreen" tree, a blue spruce. The term "nevergreen" is intriguing, suggesting a departure from the conventional "evergreen" and immediately positioning the blue spruce as something unique and special. The color blue, described as "blue among dark blue," and the "almost black" needles evoke a sense of depth and mystery, contrasting with the typical verdant imagery associated with trees. This description sets a somber, reflective tone.

Rukeyser's reference to "white guardians over Sète" connects the blue spruce to a specific location—the Sea Cemetery in Sète, France, near Spain, where the poet Paul Valéry is buried. The mention of Valéry situates the poem within a broader literary and geographical context, evoking themes of death and legacy. The "short square Mediterranean / man and woman" couple mentioned in the poem could be seen as embodiments of timeless human figures, standing at the threshold of existence ("black-cut shadow door") amid the overwhelming brilliance of the sea at noon.

The poem then shifts to a striking image of a "bearded Poseidon," the god of the sea, depicted in a modern, human-like stance "leaning from one strong hip." This Poseidon, a symbol of fatherhood and husbandry, surveys the sea, embodying the protective and powerful aspects of the natural world. The presence of an "invisible woman" beside him, described as "blue-eyed blue-haired blue-shadowed," adds a layer of mystery and ethereal beauty, suggesting a unity of opposites—visible and invisible, masculine and feminine.

Rukeyser's use of color imagery is particularly significant. The repeated references to blue—blue eyes, blue hair, blue shadows—create a cohesive visual motif that ties together the natural and human elements of the poem. The "blue spruce" thus becomes a central symbol, representing both a literal tree and a metaphorical beacon of memory, continuity, and transformation.

The poem's conclusion brings us back to the blue spruce, now described as part of a "very blue evening now deepening / needles of light ever new." This imagery evokes a sense of renewal and the cyclical nature of life. The blue spruce, with its "needles of light," stands as both a "tree of light and a tree of darkness," embodying the dualities inherent in existence. The transition from day to night, light to darkness, mirrors the inner journey from clarity to contemplation.

Rukeyser's poem, with its free verse form and lack of punctuation, creates a fluid, almost stream-of-consciousness effect. This structure allows the imagery and themes to flow seamlessly, mirroring the natural cycles and the interconnectedness of the elements she describes. The enjambment and unconventional line breaks enhance the sense of continuity and movement, drawing the reader into the poem's contemplative rhythm.

In "Blue Spruce," Muriel Rukeyser masterfully intertwines personal reflection with broader universal themes, using the blue spruce as a focal point to explore the interplay between nature, memory, and the human experience. The poem's rich imagery and symbolic depth invite readers to consider the ways in which we are connected to the natural world and to each other, through both visible and invisible bonds. The blue spruce stands as a testament to the enduring power of nature and the profound, often unseen connections that shape our lives.

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