Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sentencings" by Jane Hirshfield stands as a composite of distinct yet thematically interconnected fragments. Each vignette, separated by asterisks, is a meditation on various aspects of human existence-perception, empathy, desire, memory, and the intricacies of emotional and physical landscapes. The poem serves as a lens through which to scrutinize the limitations and revelations associated with being human.

The first fragment sets the tone for the entire poem: "A thing too perfect to be remembered: / stone beautiful only when wet." It conjures the ephemerality of beauty and the flawed human capacity to hold onto moments that are "too perfect." It proposes that beauty is often contingent upon circumstances, much like the stone that is only beautiful when wet.

The second fragment touches on the theme of empathy or, rather, the lack thereof: "Blinded by light or black cloth- / so many ways / not to see others suffer." Hirshfield emphasizes the numerous ways in which we might intentionally or unintentionally turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. Whether blinded by excess (light) or absence (black cloth) of vision, the end result is a detachment from collective human suffering.

In the third fragment, Hirshfield probes the concept of "longing" and how it acts as a wedge between individuals: "Too much longing: / it separates us / like scent from bread, / rust from iron." Here, longing is depicted as an intense force that can isolate individuals, pulling apart elements that might naturally seem united.

The notion of perspective comes forth in the fragment "From very far or very close- / the most resolute folds of the mountain are gentle." Here, Hirshfield emphasizes how distances can alter perceptions and how what may seem overwhelming up close may appear gentle from afar, implying the importance of perspective in evaluating life's challenges.

Hirshfield then delves into the realm of mortality and ancestral memory: "As if putting arms into woolen coat sleeves, / we listen to the murmuring dead." This fragment speaks to how the dead continue to live in our consciousness, as familiar and as close as a woolen coat, suggesting a form of comfort or acceptance in this communion with the past.

The enigmatic lines, "Any point of a circle is its start: / desire forgoing fulfillment to go on desiring," explore the cyclical nature of desire. The notion of desire is displayed not as a linear trajectory aimed at fulfillment, but as an eternal circle.

Subsequent fragments touch on nostalgia, the idea that even in places where "nothing has happened," the aroma of sweet-scented tobacco can elicit memories or feelings. The poem closes on a haunting note with the elderly remembering their parents and the line "Think assailable thoughts, or be lonely," pointing out that vulnerability is integral to forming human connections.

"Sentencings" resonates as a multidimensional exploration of human experiences and limitations. Each fragment serves as a sentence-not merely a grammatical one, but a philosophical pronouncement. Through her poetic investigation, Hirshfield manifests the complexities of the human condition, revealing the poignant imperfections that define us.

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