Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Beautiful Bowel Movement" by John Updike, at first glance, might elicit a chuckle or a raised eyebrow given its seemingly unpoetic subject matter. However, this poem is a quintessential example of Updike's ability to find art and profound beauty in the most mundane and overlooked aspects of everyday life. Through his vivid and playful imagery, Updike elevates a routine biological function to the level of artistic creation, drawing a parallel between the act of excretion and the process of artistic production.

The poem begins by dismissing the typical characteristics of bowel movements, describing them as "mere squibs and nubs, like half-smoked pale cigars." This initial imagery sets a low expectation, with comparisons that evoke something incomplete and unsatisfying. The mention of "the tint and stink recalling Tuesday’s meal" emphasizes the ordinary, almost forgettable nature of most bowel movements, linking them directly to the banal cycle of daily consumption and excretion.

However, the poem takes a turn as Updike introduces "this one," a particular bowel movement that stands out from the rest. This movement occurred "in solitude one afternoon" during "that prairie stretch before the late light fails," a line that beautifully captures the quiet, reflective time of day. The description implies a setting that is both mundane and sublime, a moment of peace and introspection.

What makes this specific bowel movement noteworthy is its unexpected perfection. There is "no distinct sensation, sweet or pained, of special inspiration or release," suggesting that the act was unremarkable in its physical sensation, yet it resulted in something unexpectedly aesthetic. The product is described as "a flawless coil, unbroken, in the bowl," likening it to a work of art. Updike uses the simile of a potter at the wheel, "who worked in this most frail, least grateful clay," to draw a direct comparison between the creation of pottery and the formation of the bowel movement. This analogy elevates the biological to the artistic, suggesting that beauty and craftsmanship can manifest in the most unlikely materials and processes.

The poet’s admiration for this creation is encapsulated in the exclamation, "O spiral perfection, not seashell nor stardust," rejecting typical natural comparisons of beauty to assert the unique and singular beauty of this creation. The final line, "how can I keep you? With this poem," reveals Updike’s ultimate purpose: to immortalize the transient and typically discarded through poetry. This line also reflects on the nature of poetry itself—to capture, preserve, and celebrate moments that might otherwise be forgotten or overlooked.

"The Beautiful Bowel Movement" is a clever, humorous, yet profound contemplation on the nature of beauty and the role of the artist. Updike challenges the reader to find beauty in the everyday, to appreciate the art in the functional, and to reconsider what merits artistic immortalization. This poem is a testament to Updike's skill in transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary through the power of poetic observation and imagination.

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