Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"We're Few" by Boris Leonidovich Pasternak, written in 1921, captures a moment of tumultuous transition. The poem is marked by a pervasive sense of urgency and change, evident in the line "We used to be people. We're epochs." Here, the poet speaks to the fluidity of identity, emphasizing how quickly circumstances can redefine individuality and collective experiences. This was indeed an epochal time; Russia had recently undergone a revolution, and the cultural, social, and political landscapes were being reshaped dramatically.

The poet and his companions hail "from the flaming Donetz," suggesting they come from a place of intense conflict or industrial activity. Donetz is an industrial region known for its coal mines, and the term "flaming" could refer to the fires of industry or possibly even to the Russian Civil War. The imagery is harsh and unsettling, serving as an apt metaphor for the disarray of the times.

The poem is teeming with contrasts that capture the chaos and vibrancy of this transformative period. The "fluid gray bark" that serves as their cover is made of disparate elements-rain-clouds, soldiers' councils (soviets), verses, and debates. This assemblage seems to contain both the high and the low, the lofty and the practical, signaling the merging of different worlds and ideologies. The debates may range from the arts to something as mundane as "freight rates," showing the confluence of culture and economics, idealism, and reality.

The poem also employs striking metaphorical language to describe the group's disruptive influence. They will "rip through your prose," and whirl "like a tornado of crows." These metaphors are not only forceful but also suggest a kind of scavenging, transformative energy. Crows are often seen as omens of change and are known for their adaptability, making them apt symbols for the figures in the poem. This force is something that won't be understood until "late," suggesting that the impact of such transformation often isn't immediate but becomes evident over time.

The final lines evoke nature's power and the concept of immortality. The wind that hits the thatch may last only "for a moment" but gains "immortality" in the rustling of the trees. This could be seen as a metaphor for the lasting impact of actions or words that may seem fleeting or inconsequential at the moment. They take on an enduring quality, much like the "stormy sessions" of the trees that reach places "the roof's shingles can't reach."

In "We're Few," Pasternak grapples with themes of change, impermanence, and the chaotic fusion of contrasting elements during a momentous period. The poem captures the essence of an era while also serving as a broader commentary on the nature of transformation and the enduring impact of seemingly transient actions or events. It's a complex work that not only reflects the turmoil of its times but also the eternal human struggle to find coherence in a world of ceaseless change.

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