Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jack Gilbert’s poem "What Is There to Say" explores the themes of love, admiration, and the profound impact of repeated experiences of beauty and intimacy. Through a contemplative and introspective tone, Gilbert delves into the challenge of expressing genuine emotion and wonder without falling into the trap of redundancy or affectation.

The poem begins with a rhetorical question: "What do they say each new morning in heaven?" This sets the stage for a meditation on the nature of expression and the potential for weariness even in a place as perfect as heaven. Gilbert imagines the inhabitants of heaven growing tired of repetitive praises: "They would weary of one always singing how green the green trees are in Paradise." This line suggests that constant repetition of even the most beautiful truths can become tiresome and lose its impact.

Gilbert continues with an example: "Surely it would seem convention and affectation / to rejoice every time Helen went by, since she would have gone daily by." Helen, likely a reference to Helen of Troy, symbolizes unparalleled beauty. The idea here is that the regular presence of such beauty might render expressions of admiration conventional and insincere over time. The repetition of encountering something extraordinary daily poses a challenge to maintaining the authenticity of one's response.

The poem then shifts to a personal reflection: "What can I say then if each time your whiteness glimmers and fashions in that dark? / If each time your voice opens so near in that dark / new?" Here, the speaker addresses a beloved, whose presence continues to evoke a powerful, almost miraculous response. The "whiteness glimmers" and the "voice opens" in the dark symbolize moments of profound beauty and intimacy that feel perpetually fresh and awe-inspiring. Despite the regularity of these experiences, the speaker grapples with finding words that adequately convey their impact.

Gilbert acknowledges the difficulty of expressing this recurring wonder: "What can I say each morning after that you will believe?" This line underscores the challenge of communicating genuine emotions repeatedly without them seeming forced or insincere. The speaker is acutely aware of the risk that their expressions of admiration might lose their potency or be perceived as mere habit.

The poem concludes with a declaration of the speaker's persistent, heartfelt response: "But there is this stubborn provincial singing in me oh each time." The term "stubborn provincial singing" suggests an unrefined, genuine, and heartfelt expression that resists sophistication and convention. It conveys a sense of unyielding authenticity and simplicity in the face of the complexity of repeated wonder. The speaker's emotions remain fresh and sincere, despite the challenges of articulation.

"What Is There to Say" by Jack Gilbert captures the essence of trying to maintain authenticity in expressing admiration and love repeatedly. Through reflective and evocative language, Gilbert explores the tension between the repetitive nature of beauty and the profound impact it continues to have on the beholder. The poem invites readers to consider their own experiences of recurring wonder and the ways in which they strive to convey their genuine emotions.

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