Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Omni-Albert Murray" by Elizabeth Alexander is a vibrant and multifaceted poem that pays homage to the life and work of Albert Murray, an influential African American literary and jazz critic, novelist, and essayist. The poem is structured in six parts, each exploring different aspects of African American culture and Murray's influence on it.

1. Overture:

The poem begins with an epigraph from Murray, setting the tone for a celebration of artistic expression. The ancestral voices encourage the speaker to write a poem, emphasizing the importance of cultural legacy and the vibrancy of African American artistry. The mention of a boogie-woogie piano run and references to collage artist Romare Bearden and jazz music set the scene for a celebration of black creativity.

2. Ellingtonia:

This section pays tribute to Duke Ellington and his reflections on Harlem. The vivid imagery of a Harlem airshaft captures the diverse sensory experiences of the neighborhood. The speaker imagines herself in the Renaissance ballroom, a historic Harlem jazz club, drawing on Ellington's music and the lively atmosphere of the era.

3. Interlude:

Here, the speaker directly addresses Albert Murray, pondering how he is referred to by others. This section reflects on the generational gap and the sense of disconnect from past cultural experiences. The speaker expresses a feeling of loss for not having experienced the cultural richness of Murray's era.

4. Stella by Starlight:

Inspired by the jazz standard, this section captures the transition from summer to autumn. The imagery of seasonal change is interwoven with sensory details, creating a mood of nostalgia and reflection. The speaker contemplates the end of summer and the fleeting nature of time.

5. Bearden at Work:

This part celebrates Romare Bearden, whose work in collage mirrors the cultural collage of African American life. The reference to Odysseus being blue and now black suggests the adaptation of classical themes to reflect African American experiences. The speaker also connects the advent of color television to a broader cultural awakening.

6. Coda:

The poem concludes with a coda, a musical term for a concluding section. The repetition of "Omni—Albert Murray" serves as a refrain throughout the poem, anchoring the various themes and celebrating Murray's expansive influence on culture and art.

"Omni-Albert Murray" is a lyrical and richly textured tribute to the legacy of Albert Murray and the broader tapestry of African American cultural history. Through its varied sections, the poem explores themes of jazz, art, urban life, and the transmission of cultural heritage. Alexander's poem is both a personal reflection and a broader commentary on the enduring impact of figures like Murray and Bearden in shaping the narrative of African American art and identity.