Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Lynn Emanuel’s poem "Desire," the poet explores themes of longing and discovery within the context of a seemingly mundane locale, contrasting it with the grandeur and historical romanticism often associated with places like Venice. Emanuel sets her reflections in Pittsburgh, drawing a stark contrast between the city's industrial backdrop and the ethereal beauty of Venice, yet she finds a profound and unexpected beauty in the familiar and the ordinary, highlighting the universal nature of human desire and the pursuit of transcendent experiences.

The poem opens with a clear distinction: "This is not Turner's Venice." The reference to Turner, known for his sublime and luminous landscapes, immediately sets a standard of beauty and expectation. Emanuel contrasts this with "Pittsburgh where the air is sulphurous / And the water landlocked, slowed by waste and those small iron bridges." The imagery here is gritty and anchored in the reality of industrial decay, emphasizing the city’s harsher, more stifling qualities compared to the expansive and light-filled vistas of Venice.

However, Emanuel swiftly pivots to the theme of discovery within these confines, akin to Columbus stumbling upon new continents while searching for something else entirely. This historical allusion serves as a metaphor for finding unexpected beauty and desire in unlikely places. "But even here we have discovered desire," she writes, suggesting that longing and beauty can manifest anywhere, transcending the boundaries of location and expectation.

The imagery of "supple constellations of light" in the elms introduces a celestial aspect to the scene, juxtaposing the natural world's subtle magnificence against the backdrop of Pittsburgh’s industrial environment. This light among the trees evokes a sense of wonder and possibility, mirroring the scattered light of stars, and suggests that even in the most familiar or bleak settings, there are moments of beauty to be observed and cherished.

As the poem progresses, Emanuel delves deeper into the personal realm, reflecting her own longing for an end, perhaps of routine or predictability: "I, too, am hoping for the end / Of something, of the world, maybe." This introspective longing is intertwined with the imagery of the physical world, "that great still perfect lip and those little boats going off." The mention of boats and channels subtly nods to the Venetian setting, thereby bridging her immediate reality with the romanticized distance of Venice.

The poem concludes with a reaffirmation of the beauty found in the familiar: "Here in our own back yard we can find / The rare acres of stars, the thin wind / Abating in the huge green hesitations of the trees." Emanuel captures the essence of finding the extraordinary within the ordinary. The "rare acres of stars" and the "huge green hesitations of the trees" speak to the natural splendor that persists amidst and perhaps because of the urban landscape. These images suggest a peaceful coexistence with and appreciation for the immediate environment, finding a vast universe in one's own backyard.

Overall, "Desire" is a contemplative piece that marries the local with the universal, the mundane with the sublime, urging the reader to reconsider where and how beauty and longing manifest. Emanuel’s poem is a testament to the idea that desire and discovery are not limited to places of known beauty but are ever-present, waiting to be recognized in the landscapes of our everyday lives.

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