Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"LEDA 2: A Note on Visitations" by Lucille Clifton offers a profound and nuanced retelling of the mythological encounter between Leda and Zeus, who, in Greek mythology, came to Leda in the form of a swan. Clifton's poem, however, diverges from the traditional narrative to explore themes of intrusion, power dynamics, and the aftermath of divine or otherworldly visitations. Through evocative imagery and concise language, Clifton delves into the complexities of these encounters, particularly their impact on Leda.

The opening line, "sometimes another star chooses," suggests a cosmic or fateful selection process, where celestial forces or beings decide upon their earthly interventions. This line sets the stage for an exploration of encounters that are not just random but marked by a deliberate crossing of paths between the divine or alien and the human.

Clifton describes the visitors as "the ones coming in from the east / are dagger-fingered men, / princes of no known kingdom." This depiction shifts the figure of Zeus as a swan to a more menacing presence, emphasizing the threat and violence implicit in these visitations. The "dagger-fingered men" metaphor suggests aggression and danger, while the "princes of no known kingdom" indicates their otherworldly and unplaceable nature, enhancing the sense of intrusion and violation.

The reaction of the animals, "raised up in their stalls / battering the stable door," captures the chaos and disturbance that accompany such visitations. The animals' instinctual response highlights a natural order disrupted, a theme that resonates with the overall disarray and turmoil described in the poem.

Clifton's depiction of the aftermath, "the inn is strewn with feathers, / the old husband suspicious," presents the physical and emotional fallout of the encounter. The feathers, remnants of Zeus's swan form, serve as evidence of the visitation, while the "old husband suspicious" points to the breach of trust and the introduction of doubt within human relationships.

The final lines, "and the fur between her thighs / is the only shining thing," offer a powerful image of the lasting impact on Leda herself. This line can be interpreted in several ways, including the possible conception of Helen (and others, depending on the version of the myth), as a result of this encounter. The "shining thing" might represent the divine or extraordinary offspring that will come from this union, but it also underscores the violation Leda has experienced, with the "fur" suggesting both violation and the indelible mark left upon her.

Through "LEDA 2: A Note on Visitations," Lucille Clifton reimagines a well-known myth to explore the darker and more complex aspects of divine encounters. The poem speaks to the intrusion of the powerful upon the lives of the unsuspecting, leaving chaos, suspicion, and transformation in their wake. Clifton's work invites readers to reconsider the narratives of mythology and the themes of power, consent, and the aftermath of such visitations in a new light.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Collected_Poems_of_Lucille_Clifton_1/Oy1aDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=LATER%20I%27LL%20SAY

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