Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Hall’s "Baseball: The Seventh Inning" is a rich tapestry of imagery and contemplation that intertwines the simplicity of baseball with the complexity of human experience. The poem, through its nine sections, meditates on the aging process, the intimacy of relationships, and the pleasures of life's small but significant moments, all while maintaining a reverence for the game of baseball.

In the first section, Hall juxtaposes the seeming simplicity of baseball with the multifaceted life of an aging boy. Baseball is not the entirety of his existence; instead, it coexists with the tender moments shared with a significant other. The description of her body, likened to water, emphasizes fluidity and sustenance, suggesting that her presence is as essential and refreshing as water itself. The imagery of water assembling and flowing within her body conjures a sense of life and movement, portraying her as a source of vitality.

The second section shifts to a more intimate setting, where the speaker drinks in the sight of her as she goes about her daily activities. The mention of Curt Davis and his submarine ball subtly ties back to baseball, linking the mechanics of the game to the rhythm of life. This metaphor extends the connection between the physicality of sports and the sensuality of human interaction. The “submarine light” at dawn casts a dreamlike quality over their mornings, blending the real with the surreal.

In the third section, Hall introduces a candid reflection on the pleasure of micturition. This everyday act, though less celebrated than sexual desire or baseball, is presented with a sense of luxury and relief. The poem humorously addresses the common confusion between the need to urinate and sexual arousal, highlighting the body's basic functions and the simple joys they bring.

The fourth section delves deeper into the act of urination, elevating it to a form of ecstatic release. Hall’s vivid description of the experience, from the stance to the sensation, transforms it into a moment of luxurious permission. The comparison to rain after a dry spell in August not only ties back to the earlier theme of water but also connects the act to a broader sense of natural relief and rejuvenation.

In the fifth section, Hall contrasts the intricacies of human experience with the sturdy growth of a jade plant. The plant's robust and vigorous nature symbolizes resilience and the ability to thrive even in packed dirt. This resilience mirrors the tenacity required in baseball and life. The comparison to bleacher fans’ perception of box seat inhabitants introduces a playful social commentary on different perspectives within the same context.

The sixth section shifts to a nostalgic scene of July 4th celebrations, where the fleeting beauty of sparklers parallels the transient nature of childhood. The young girl's kiss to the dog and her chase after the kitten capture innocence and the inevitable passage of time. Hall poignantly notes that when she returns, both she and her pets will have aged, emphasizing the inexorable march of time.

The seventh section returns to the sparklers as symbols of ephemeral beauty. Their brief brilliance underscores the notion that impermanence enhances beauty. Hall then transitions to a critique of baseball’s expansion, hinting at the dilution of talent and the impact of such decisions on the quality of the game.

In the eighth section, Hall laments the rapid promotion of less-skilled players to the major leagues, comparing it to poets searching for lines in old notebooks. This analogy underscores the desperation and compromise involved in maintaining standards amidst expansion. The inevitability of expansion, despite its drawbacks, reflects a broader commentary on growth and its consequences.

The final section provides a personal reflection on Kurt, presumably Kurt Schwitters, a reference that enriches the poem with historical and artistic layers. The imagery of smoking cigarettes rolled from chopped-up banknotes during inflation times evokes a sense of making do with what’s available, a theme consistent with the earlier sections. Kurt’s tendency to preserve everything, creating collages from cigar bands, symbolizes the human desire to hold onto memories and materials in the face of impermanence.

"Baseball: The Seventh Inning" by Donald Hall intricately weaves together themes of aging, intimacy, the mundane pleasures of life, and the cherished pastime of baseball. Through his masterful use of imagery and metaphor, Hall invites readers to reflect on the richness of everyday experiences and the enduring nature of human connections amidst the constant flow of time.

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