Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Galvin’s poem "Double Rainbow" is a contemplative and critical reflection on the nature of hope, belief, and the illusions we cling to in the face of life’s harsh realities. Through rich, evocative language and a tone that oscillates between disdain and reluctant admiration, Galvin dissects the double rainbow as a symbol, exposing its fragility and the deceptive comfort it offers.

The poem opens with a direct address: “Well aren't you the harsh necessity, / As in what fear is for?” This personification of the double rainbow as a “harsh necessity” immediately sets a tone of confrontation. The double rainbow, often seen as a symbol of hope and wonder, is here recontextualized as something necessary but ultimately tied to fear and perhaps disillusionment.

Galvin reflects on a specific time, “the summer of / You should have been there,” invoking a sense of nostalgia or a missed opportunity. This regret is counterbalanced by the immediate rejection: “Though the last thing I want / Anywhere near me is you.” The double rainbow, despite its beauty, is unwanted—suggesting it represents a false or fleeting comfort that the speaker no longer desires.

The poem continues with a series of sharp, descriptive phrases: “Louche and thaumaturgic, / You made my faith / My foolishness— / Easy as lying to trees.” These words imbue the double rainbow with a sense of moral ambiguity and trickery. “Louche” connotes a disreputable or shady quality, while “thaumaturgic” refers to magical or miraculous power. This combination suggests that the double rainbow, while seemingly magical, ultimately undermines the speaker’s faith, rendering it foolish.

The line “Essence of the inessential / Is what you are, double rainbow,” captures the central paradox of the poem. The double rainbow is depicted as something that appears significant but is fundamentally insubstantial. It is “Extrinsic as blood is to stars,” highlighting its separation from true necessity or reality. The metaphor of blood being extrinsic to stars suggests a profound disconnect, emphasizing the illusionary nature of the rainbow.

Galvin continues with a critique: “An empire not of death, / But inspired by death, / Farrago of arid precepts, / A few cheap ideas about hope.” Here, the double rainbow is linked to death not directly but as a concept inspired by it. It represents a conglomeration of empty, dry ideas about hope and the future—suggesting a superficiality that fails to provide true solace or meaning.

The poem reaches a climactic dismissal: “What are the chances? / Slim to none.” This blunt assertion reinforces the speaker’s skepticism and the improbability of finding genuine hope or truth in the symbol of the double rainbow. The speaker then addresses the rainbow directly, calling it “my fraud, my forger,” further emphasizing the theme of deception.

The concluding lines, “I could close my eyes at any time. / All I have to do is close my eyes,” offer a stark resolution. The speaker asserts control over their perception, recognizing that the power to dismiss the illusion lies within themselves. By closing their eyes, they can reject the false comfort and choose not to be deceived by the double rainbow’s ephemeral beauty.

"Double Rainbow" is a powerful meditation on the nature of symbols, illusions, and the human tendency to seek comfort in fleeting phenomena. Through Galvin’s incisive language and critical perspective, the poem challenges readers to question the reliability of the symbols they hold dear and to confront the harsh realities that lie beneath the surface of life’s apparent wonders.

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