Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Urgent Telegram to Jean-Michel Basquiat," Kevin Young masterfully engages with the life and work of the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat through the antiquated medium of a telegram. The poem explores themes of absence, communication, and the inevitable passage of time, serving as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life and the permanence of artistic impact. It stands as an epistolary homage, employing the "STOP" of telegram language to punctuate both the sentences and the emotional weight of the missive.

The opening lines, "HAVENT HEARD FROM YOU IN AGES STOP LOVE YOUR / LATEST SHOW STOP," immediately evoke a sense of distance and time passed, as well as a nod to Basquiat's lasting artistic impact. The word "STOP," a necessary component of telegram language, also operates as a metaphorical plea for attention, as if the sender wants Basquiat's rapid life trajectory to pause for a moment, to re-establish lost connections.

"THIS NO PHONE STUFF IS FOR BIRDS / LIKE YOU STOP," cleverly comments on Basquiat's unconventional lifestyle. Describing him as a bird suggests both freedom and elusiveness, an artist unwilling or unable to be tethered by societal norms, including modern means of communication.

"ONCE SHOUTED UP FROM STREET ONLY / RAIN AND YOUR ASSISTANT ANSWERED STOP," illustrates a missed connection, a physical and metaphorical downpour, an obstacle to direct interaction. The rain serves as a natural barrier, just as fame and death now stand as obstacles between the speaker and Basquiat.

"DO YOU / STILL SLEEP LATE STOP DOES YOUR PAINT STILL COVER / DOORS STOP," continues the longing for knowledge about Basquiat's current state, while subtly acknowledging that he has passed away. The mention of paint covering doors may symbolize Basquiat's tendency to transgress boundaries, both artistic and personal.

"FOUND A SAMO TAG COPYRIGHT HIGH / ABOVE A STAIR STOP NOT SURE HOW YOU REACHED STOP," brings Basquiat's iconic graffiti art into the narrative. The high placement of the tag conveys both Basquiat's physical daring and his determination to leave his mark on the world. The speaker is baffled by how he "reached" so high, a metaphor that can be extended to Basquiat's rapid rise in the art world.

"YOU ALWAYS WERE A CLIMBER STOP COME DOWN SOME / DAY AND SEE US AGAIN END," closes the poem on a bittersweet note. The word "climber" encapsulates Basquiat's ambition and restlessness, while the invitation to "come down" serves as both a wish for earthly return and a comment on his stratospheric rise. The "END" signifies not just the telegram's conclusion but perhaps the end of an era, the end of a life, and the enduring struggle to make sense of such an abrupt cessation.

In sum, "Urgent Telegram to Jean-Michel Basquiat" is more than an address to a departed artist; it's a reflection on the complexities of communication and the ever-present influence of those who've left an indelible mark on art and on our lives. Kevin Young's poem manages to encapsulate the ineffable-a sense of loss, admiration, and the inexplicable distance that can grow between two souls-within the constrained format of a telegram, making each "STOP" a pause for thought, a small space to mourn or celebrate.

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