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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Believe, Believe" by Bob Kaufman is a compelling affirmation of faith in the beauty and resilience of life, culture, and art, juxtaposed against the destructive forces of societal control and violence. The poem advocates for belief in the positive aspects of existence—nature, music, and poetry—while rejecting the oppressive systems and destructive technologies that threaten them. The poem opens with a simple yet powerful imperative: "Believe in this." This call to belief sets the tone for the poem, inviting readers to focus on the essential and uplifting aspects of life. Kaufman immediately contrasts two worlds: the natural and the corrupted. "Young apple seeds, / In blue skies, radiating young breast," symbolize new beginnings, potential, and purity. These images evoke a sense of freshness and the promise of growth, aligned with natural beauty and innocence. In stark contrast, Kaufman warns against placing trust in "blue-suited insects, / Infesting society’s garments." This metaphor vividly depicts bureaucrats or figures of authority as pests corrupting the fabric of society. The choice of "blue-suited" likely references the typical attire of businesspeople or politicians, while "insects" dehumanizes these figures, highlighting their parasitic nature. The poem shifts to a celebration of jazz, a recurring theme in Kaufman's work, known for its improvisational brilliance and emotional depth. He describes the music as "tearing the night into intricate shreds, / Putting it back together again, / In cool logical patterns." This description captures jazz's ability to deconstruct chaos and reform it into something beautiful and coherent, reflecting the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. The night, often associated with mystery and fear, is transformed by jazz into a space for artistic expression and renewal. Kaufman contrasts this celebration of music with a critique of "the sick controllers, / Who created only the Bomb." This stark condemnation points to the destructive capabilities of those in power, particularly referencing nuclear weapons. The poem draws a clear line between creative and destructive forces, advocating for a focus on life-affirming art rather than life-destroying technology. The third stanza turns to the legacy of poetry and the enduring power of the written word. "Let the voices of dead poets / Ring louder in your ears" suggests that the wisdom and beauty of past poets offer more value and truth than contemporary media, which Kaufman describes dismissively as "the screechings mouthed / In mildewed editorials." This comparison underscores the timeless relevance of poetry and its ability to transcend the fleeting, often biased perspectives found in mainstream media. Kaufman concludes with an exhortation to "Listen to the music of centuries, / Rising above the mushroom time." The "music of centuries" symbolizes the accumulated cultural and artistic heritage that has stood the test of time. In contrast, "mushroom time" likely refers to the atomic age, characterized by the mushroom cloud of nuclear explosions. This phrase serves as a metaphor for a period dominated by fear and existential threat. The poem urges readers to focus on the enduring and transcendent, rather than the temporary and terrifying. Overall, "Believe, Believe" is a powerful call to value the enduring, life-affirming aspects of existence—nature, music, poetry—over the destructive and transient forces of societal control and technology. Kaufman's use of vivid imagery and sharp contrasts emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith in the positive potential of humanity, even in the face of overwhelming negative forces. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art and nature.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BETWEEN THE WARS by ROBERT HASS I AM YOUR WAITER TONIGHT AND MY NAME IS DIMITRI by ROBERT HASS MITRAILLIATRICE by ERNEST HEMINGWAY RIPARTO D'ASSALTO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY WAR VOYEURS by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA THE DREAM OF WAKING by RANDALL JARRELL THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SO MANY BLOOD-LAKES by ROBINSON JEFFERS |
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