Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Jane Hirshfield's poem "Like Two Negative Numbers Multiplied by Rain," the poet navigates through complexities of human existence, invoking a nuanced understanding of fate, choice, and the inevitability of change. The poem grapples with paradoxes that define our human experience, employing natural and mundane images to do so. The tone and theme evoke a contemplative perspective, looking both inward and outward to explore the contradictions and enigmas of life.

The poem commences with simple observations: "Lie down, you are horizontal. / Stand up, you are not." These lines set the stage for the dualities to come, illustrating that our state of being can change with something as simple as a change in posture. This is a precursor to the speaker's wish: "I wanted my fate to be human." This line stands as the fulcrum of the poem, indicating the speaker's desire for a life as fluid and complex as human nature itself. It serves as an entrance into the poem's deeper explorations.

The metaphor of perfume carries this idea forward. Like humans, perfume "does not choose the direction it travels" and "cannot be straight or crooked, kept out or kept." This complex and evocative image reflects the intricate web of choices and circumstances that shape human lives. Just as perfume pervades a room, our existence is permeated by a myriad of possibilities and decisions: "Yes, No, Or"-the three monosyllabic words highlight the multitude of routes a life can take. These choices lead us through layers of experiences, as if shedding skins.

As the poem moves forward, it delves into the mundane yet profound "logic of shoes." The idea of shoes becoming "an animal question, scuffing" strips down complexities to basic, instinctual needs. The "old shoes, old roads" imagery connects with the relentless passage of time, implying that while certain aspects of life remain constant, "the questions keep being new ones." This notion comes to a head in the poem's final lines, "Like two negative numbers multiplied by rain / into oranges and olives." This mathematical metaphor encapsulates the unpredictability and contradictions of life. Negative numbers, when multiplied, become positive, just as unexpected combinations can yield surprising results. The mention of "rain" implies a natural, uncontrollable factor that can change equations, leading to unexpected but natural outcomes, like "oranges and olives."

In summary, "Like Two Negative Numbers Multiplied by Rain" serves as a poignant exploration of human existence. It presents life as a complex equation, influenced by choices, circumstances, and natural phenomena, resulting in an ever-changing, unpredictable outcome. Hirshfield's poem becomes a compelling meditation on the multi-faceted and ever-changing nature of human life, capturing its complexities, paradoxes, and the eternal newness of our questions and discoveries.

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