Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Passages 28: The Light" by Robert Duncan is a deeply allegorical and symbolic poem that draws on mythological and literary references to explore themes of creation, destruction, and poetic imagination. The poem weaves together images of mythic beings and celestial phenomena to articulate a vision of the universe as a dynamic, ever-unfolding narrative shaped by both creative and destructive forces.

The poem begins with an image of "doom's darling," a figure that appears to fall from grace or favor, yet captures the attention of God. This figure loses a feather, symbolizing perhaps a loss of innocence or purity, but this loss is transformed into a moment of discovery as the feather is found by Libertas. Libertas, the personification of liberty, is seen by Victor Hugo in a dream, suggesting that true freedom is a profound and almost divine revelation that poets like Hugo can perceive and communicate.

Duncan introduces the concept of an angelic being who remains "true to Lucifer as Satan was false to his Self," indicating a complex relationship between fidelity, identity, and moral alignment. This angelic being symbolizes integrity and loyalty to one's true nature, even when that nature is associated with rebellion or fallenness, like Lucifer. The reference to Lucifer, traditionally seen as a figure of pride and rebellion who falls from heaven, invites the reader to reconsider the nature of evil and redemption, suggesting that true evil lies in betrayal of one's authentic self rather than in rebellion per se.

The poem then shifts to a cosmic scale, describing "Wing of our Mothering Universe" where both destructive and guardian angels exist. This phrase evokes a universe that nurtures through both creation and destruction, reflecting a dualistic vision of reality where light and dark are essential forces that give shape to existence. The imagery of "wingd lions, ladies, giant butterflies in fields of suns, amongst galaxies" paints a picture of a vibrant, dynamic cosmos where mythical and symbolic creatures play and interact within the vast tapestries of space and time.

Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, emerges from the "trunk of whose gorgon-wild head flying up," representing poetic inspiration that defies ordinary perception and bounds. Pegasus is linked to the source of poetic creativity, capable of rising above the monstrous or terrifying aspects of reality. Duncan aligns the poet with Pegasus, suggesting that poets are riders who traverse the landscapes of truth, shaping and being shaped by the "truth of What Is."

The poem concludes with references to Eros and Anteros, Crysaor and other figures from myth, each embodying aspects of love, conflict, and creative force. These mythical references underscore the notion that poetry and art are fundamentally entwined with the forces that govern the universe, capable of both reflecting and transforming reality.

"Passages 28: The Light" is a celebration of poetic imagination as a powerful, almost divine force that connects the human spirit to the cosmic and mythical dimensions of existence. Duncan's use of dense, allusive imagery invites readers to explore the depths of poetic inspiration and to recognize the dual nature of creation, where light and darkness, destruction and guardianship, are inextricably linked.

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