Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Hollander's "Coordinating Conjunction" is an intricate meditation on continuity, the passage of time, and the human desire to prolong existence and meaning. The poem utilizes the metaphor of the coordinating conjunction "and" to explore how we strive to connect moments, ideas, and experiences into a cohesive narrative, even as we confront the inevitability of endings.

The poem opens with the conjunction "And ... and so it goes," immediately setting a tone of continuation. This phrase evokes a sense of resignation and acceptance, suggesting that life moves forward in a sequence of connected events. The imagery of "the thread outlasts the spool, / So the thorn, the rose" presents a natural cycle where the beauty of the rose is inseparable from the pain of the thorn, much like the continuity of life is tied to its inevitable end.

Hollander personifies time, observing "its rule," where "Each instant leaps back into / The dark lilied pool / It sprang from." This depiction of time as a cyclical entity highlights the repetitive nature of existence. The blue tiles along the garden wall, ending in "a thin scrawl / Of grout that marks out its grave," symbolize the finite nature of our endeavors, which eventually reach their conclusions, much like the seasons transitioning from summer to fall.

The line "Though breathing and brave, / The sentence stops, that must burn / The air in its cave" speaks to the idea that even our most passionate and vibrant expressions are bound by limitations. The sentence, representing thought and language, ultimately ceases, leaving only its impact on the surrounding environment.

Hollander then delves into the human condition of feeling confined by "the wall / Of our own pattern." This metaphor captures the frustration of being trapped within our own constructs and the struggle to maintain continuity: "How to keep it all / Going, how to fan / The embers of aftermath / Up now into an / Even flame." This desire for consistency and stability reflects a deeper yearning to sustain meaning in our lives.

The poem contemplates the finality of existence, acknowledging that "some kind of an end / Crept up into view / From around some bend / Or straight toward us from the dark." This inevitability of endings prompts a reflection on how we might extend our journey, keep the "spark / Still left glowing," and cherish the final moments.

The concluding lines emphasize the persistence of human effort: "Desperate, a hand / Trembling adds yet one more and / And and, and and, and." This repetition of "and" underscores the relentless human desire to continue, to connect, and to add to the narrative, even in the face of finality. It speaks to the struggle against endings and the instinctive drive to perpetuate life and meaning.

"Coordinating Conjunction" masterfully weaves together themes of continuity, finality, and the human spirit's resilience. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful reflections, the poem invites readers to consider the cyclical nature of life and the profound significance of our attempts to create coherence and extend our journey, even as we confront the ultimate cessation of all things.

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