Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "Globule" is a richly textured meditation on identity, existence, and the interconnectedness of life within the natural world. The poem, structured in three parts, explores the fluidity and transparency of being, using the metaphor of a jellyfish—a creature that is both fragile and resilient, both an individual entity and a part of the larger oceanic ecosystem. Through vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, Ostriker delves into the themes of impermanence, the passage of time, and the delicate balance between life and death.

In the first section, the speaker expresses a desire "To be transparent, to contain the world," setting the tone for the poem's exploration of the self as both a vessel and a participant in the larger cosmos. The jellyfish, "lucent, mobile, membraned," serves as the central metaphor, representing a state of being that is both permeable and encompassing. The description of the jellyfish as "Boneless behold me, my mica bits / Expensive steel suspended in my substance" suggests a creature that is delicate yet composed of resilient materials. The juxtaposition of "mica bits" and "expensive steel" highlights the tension between fragility and strength, a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The imagery of the jellyfish "Afloat in floodwater, swinging shoreward, / Ebbing oceanward, clockless among quick fishes" emphasizes its existence in a state of perpetual motion, without adherence to the conventional constraints of time. The repetition of the "s" sound in "Striped, sported, / Speckled, stippled" mimics the movement of fish through water, creating a rhythmic flow that mirrors the natural rhythm of the ocean. The jellyfish, in this context, becomes a symbol of adaptability and fluidity, embodying the essence of life in constant flux.

The second section shifts focus to the interplay between light and darkness, life and death. The poem describes the process of dawn breaking: "From plate tinted a shell’s hard innerness, / Cerise bleeds, leads chilly dawn." The image of sunlight struggling "downward through wavelets" suggests the difficulty of illumination penetrating the depths of the ocean, mirroring the human struggle for understanding and meaning in the face of existential uncertainty. The sunlight, described as a "formidable father," is both nurturing and oppressive, sustaining life while also casting shadows that signal the approach of night and, metaphorically, the end of life.

Ostriker introduces the concept of oblivion with "We who are oblivious, maybe immortal," suggesting that in our ignorance or indifference, we may believe ourselves to be beyond the reach of mortality. However, this false sense of immortality is quickly dispelled as the poem turns to the inevitability of darkness: "Then softens, slants, abruptly dips. There’s darkness." The abruptness of the transition from light to darkness underscores the suddenness with which life can change, and the "brutally cold" surf represents the harsh, indifferent forces of nature that continue their relentless movement, oblivious to individual suffering.

In the final section, the poem contemplates the night, where "moonlight rests like ice" on the ocean's surface, and the "far sky blinks its pointed messages." These "pointed messages" about "matter’s beginnings" seem distant and inscrutable, reinforcing the sense of isolation and mystery that pervades the poem. The jellyfish, described as "Membranous, shapeless, rocking undersea," embodies the poem's central paradox: it is both "a thing contained and container of mystery," both a tangible being and a vessel for the unknown.

The poem concludes with a reaffirmation of the speaker's wish "only to be as I am, transparent," accepting the jellyfish's state of existence as a "textured fleck afloat in a wet world." This final image captures the essence of the poem: the jellyfish, like the human self, is a small, seemingly insignificant part of the vast ocean, yet it is also intricately connected to the larger world around it. The desire for transparency reflects a longing for clarity and understanding, but also an acceptance of the mystery and fluidity inherent in life.

"Globule" is a profound exploration of the natural world as a mirror for the human experience. Through the metaphor of the jellyfish, Ostriker delves into the complexities of identity, the passage of time, and the inescapable reality of mortality. The poem’s vivid imagery and rhythmic language create a sense of immersion, inviting the reader to contemplate their place within the broader currents of life, where every individual is both a part of and a vessel for the mysteries of existence.

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