Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Noguchi" is a deeply introspective piece that weaves together themes of obedience, life, death, and rebirth. The poem uses vivid and often surreal imagery to explore the demands placed upon individuals by both internal and external forces, and the necessity of perseverance and alertness in the face of these demands.

The poem opens with a compelling command: "Since very soon it is required of you." This immediate call to action sets a tone of urgency and inevitability. The imagery of the person lying on a bed with "a strong statue’s face turning up and away" suggests a moment of profound contemplation or surrender, where the individual must confront a significant turning point.

The call to "Open and now obey" repeats throughout the poem, serving as a refrain that underscores the theme of submission to an unavoidable force. This force is illustrated through various scenarios, each laden with symbolic meaning. For example, the "roomful of cats" and "the dead man on the cot" evoke a sense of the uncanny and the presence of death, while the "cat flies shouting from the dead man’s mouth" introduces an element of the surreal, emphasizing the unexpected ways in which life and death intersect.

The poem transitions to more personal reflections, invoking the historical and cultural backdrop of Isamu Noguchi, a renowned sculptor. The mention of "Noguchi’s mother with her scalded child / wedged her awake with splinters in the eyes" likely refers to Noguchi's turbulent childhood and his mother’s struggles, symbolizing the harsh realities that force one into wakefulness and action.

Rukeyser continues to explore the theme of effort and the relentless push toward survival and alertness: "If you are falling fallen failing, force / will suffice, must fix yourself alert." This call to remain vigilant is juxtaposed with the image of a "widened world" seen in a dream, a world full of "men’s eyes that weep" and "wrong ghosts sailing the cities." These images suggest a collective sorrow and the haunting presence of past mistakes and injustices.

The poem’s climax brings a sense of hope and resilience: "effort of light comes, overflow morning / waking no weeping." This line captures the idea that through sustained effort and the pursuit of light (knowledge, love, hope), one can overcome the darkness and despair that permeate the world. The "series of twelve doors / strike shut like clock" symbolizes the passage of time and the definitive moments that shape our lives.

In the concluding lines, Rukeyser speaks of staying awake and vigilant "until it’s healed, / until the time is brought to a fair hour." This echoes the earlier theme of obedience and effort, suggesting that true healing and peace require continuous vigilance and love. The final images of "all soldiers home again" and "the growing time a child up and alive" evoke a vision of a world restored to wholeness and innocence, where the scars of conflict and pain are healed.

"Noguchi" is a powerful meditation on the necessity of resilience and the unyielding pursuit of light and life in the face of darkness and death. Rukeyser’s use of rich, symbolic imagery and her poignant reflections on history, effort, and love create a moving narrative that resonates with the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit. The poem ultimately affirms the importance of staying awake, alert, and committed to healing and growth, even in the most challenging times.

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