Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Tchicaya U Tam'si's poem "Mat to Weave" is a profound and intricate exploration of identity, racism, and the search for meaning in a world that is often hostile and alienating. The poem’s fragmented structure and vivid imagery reflect the disjointed and painful experience of the speaker as he confronts the harsh realities of his existence. Through the use of metaphor and symbolism, Tam'si examines the impact of racism on the individual's sense of self and the broader implications of cultural dislocation and survival.

The poem begins with the speaker’s intention to "deliver the secret of the sun" and to "write the poem of his life," suggesting a desire to share something essential and profound about his existence. The "secret of the sun" could symbolize a deeper truth or enlightenment, something the speaker wishes to reveal through his life and art. The act of writing "the poem of his life" indicates a desire to create something lasting and meaningful, a testament to his experience.

However, this endeavor is abruptly interrupted when someone calls him a "dirty wog," a deeply derogatory and racist term. This moment of racial abuse shatters the speaker’s sense of purpose and identity, reducing his noble intentions to something contaminated and devalued by the cruelty of the outside world. The insult is a stark reminder of the systemic racism that defines and confines the speaker’s existence, undermining his efforts to express himself fully and authentically.

Despite this, the speaker clings to "the gentle act of his laughter" and the image of "the giant tree with a living cleft." These symbols represent resilience and a connection to life and nature that remains intact despite the dehumanizing forces he encounters. The "giant tree" may symbolize the strength and continuity of life, even when it is marked by a "living cleft," a wound that still breathes and grows. This resilience is contrasted with the haunting question, "what was that country where he lived a beast behind the beasts," which suggests a place where the speaker is not only marginalized but also dehumanized, reduced to something less than even the animals around him.

The poem continues with the assertion that the speaker’s "stream was the safest of cups because it was of bronze because it was his living flesh." This metaphor implies that the speaker’s life and identity are rooted in something both strong and sacred, symbolized by the bronze cup. It is a part of him, inseparable from his existence, and yet, it is also a source of safety and sustenance.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reaches a moment of self-realization: "no my life is not a poem." This line reflects a profound disillusionment, a recognition that the ideals and aspirations he once held have been eroded by the harshness of reality. The speaker then turns to the physical world—"here is the tree here is the water here are the stones"—suggesting a return to the basic elements of existence, to what is tangible and real, as opposed to the lofty, abstract idea of life as a poem.

The mention of "the priest of the future" introduces a figure who might symbolize guidance or prophecy, yet the speaker seems to reject this notion, advised instead that "it is better to love wine and rise in the morning." This advice suggests a turn toward simple pleasures and the acceptance of life’s fleeting nature, as opposed to pursuing grand, unattainable ideals.

However, the poem ends on a somber note, with the repeated insult "dirty wog" echoing the racial trauma that persists in the speaker’s consciousness. The speaker identifies as "the younger brother of fire," a symbol of destruction and renewal, and acknowledges that "the bush begins here," marking a boundary between the familiar and the unknown, the civilized and the wild. The sea, once a vast and powerful force, is reduced to "no more than the memory of gulls," symbolizing the loss of vitality and possibility.

The final lines of the poem evoke a sense of desolation: "after the forest was burnt what more to say / why was there absinthe in the wine why restore in the hearts the crocodiles the canoers and the wave of the stream." The burning of the forest symbolizes the destruction of what was once alive and vibrant, leaving behind only questions and bitterness. The "absinthe in the wine" represents the bitterness that has tainted what should have been sweet and nourishing. The references to "crocodiles" and "canoers" evoke a sense of danger and a connection to ancient, primal forces, as well as the resilience and survival instincts that remain in the hearts of those who continue to navigate the challenges of life.

"Mat to Weave" is a powerful and haunting meditation on the complexities of identity and the impact of racism on the individual psyche. Through its fragmented narrative and rich symbolism, Tchicaya U Tam'si captures the sense of dislocation, disillusionment, and resilience that define the speaker’s experience. The poem reflects the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems indifferent or hostile, and the enduring strength that comes from a deep connection to the elemental forces of nature and the self.