Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ode to the Ferris Wheel, on Its Ninety-Ninth Birthday" by Denise Duhamel is a delightful and introspective poem that celebrates both the invention of the Ferris wheel and the poet's personal reflections connected to it. Set against the backdrop of a romantic and nostalgic ride on the Ferris wheel, the poem explores themes of innovation, love, and the passage of time.

The poem begins by acknowledging the creator of the Ferris wheel, Mr. Ferris, highlighting his visionary engineering that transformed an idea into a reality. The mention of "diagrams and blueprints" and "wild imaginings" emphasizes the creativity and daring involved in bringing such an iconic amusement ride to life. The imagery of the wheel's inaugural turn "slow and high" captures the awe and majesty of this new invention, painting it as a marvel that dominated the Chicago skyline.

Duhamel uses the setting of her own birthday ride on the Ferris wheel to draw parallels between personal and historical milestones. The mention of a "century later" establishes a link between the wheel's debut and the poet's contemporary experience, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Ferris wheel across generations.

The romantic scene is further colored by the presence of a couple ahead of her in line, with the husband proudly proclaiming their annual tradition of riding the Ferris wheel together for twenty-six years. This couple's enduring love affair with each other and the ride offers a charming glimpse into the potential future for the poet and her lover, who are soon to be married.

As the poem unfolds, it delves deeper into personal symbolism and connections. Duhamel cleverly weaves in literary references and the structural poetry of names like Ford Madox Ford and William Carlos Williams, whose names themselves reflect a kind of cyclical, mirrored structure that resonates with the circular motion of the Ferris wheel.

The use of palindromes in the poet’s own life, noting her birth date and age, adds another layer of playful yet profound contemplation about cycles and patterns that define our lives. The circular motion of the ride becomes a metaphor for these life cycles, the recurring ups and downs, and the revolutions that bring us back to where we started, yet slightly changed each time.

The closing lines of the poem are a testament to the magic and romance associated with the Ferris wheel. The act of kissing at the top crest of the ride symbolizes a celebration of reaching a high point, both literally on the ride and metaphorically in life. This act is seen as a good omen for the poet's future marriage, linking the "luck of the circle and the sun" with personal joy and fulfillment.

Overall, "Ode to the Ferris Wheel, on Its Ninety-Ninth Birthday" is a beautifully crafted poem that uses the Ferris wheel as a powerful symbol of human ingenuity, the beauty of enduring love, and the poetic symmetry of life’s continuous cycles. Duhamel’s personal reflections intertwined with universal themes make the poem resonate deeply with anyone who has ever found joy and wonder in this simple yet profound amusement ride.

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