Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s poem "Assembly" juxtaposes the dichotomy between the raw, primal elements of existence and their structured, recognizable forms. Through a series of vivid metaphors and juxtapositions, Goldbarth explores the tension between the wild and the regulated, the inspired and the methodical, reflecting on how the natural world and human creativity are both tamed and expressed through familiar patterns and structures.

The poem begins with the image of water, a symbol of untamed nature, described as having a "wild call" and being a "mystery." Water, often associated with life and purity, here represents the untamable and enigmatic aspects of nature. However, this wildness is immediately contrasted with the dowser's switch—a tool used to find water underground—which forms a "recognized, uniform y." This introduces the theme of how chaotic natural elements are brought into human understanding through familiar, structured forms.

Goldbarth then moves to the image of a honeymoon night, traditionally a time of unbridled passion and intimacy. Yet, even this is framed within the context of a "registered pattern" that one could ask about in a "home goods store." The honeymoon, a deeply personal and spontaneous experience, is paralleled with a pre-determined, socially recognized pattern, highlighting how even our most intense human experiences are often influenced by societal norms and expectations.

The poet’s craft is another key theme in the poem. Despite the "savage, brief, and forked" nature of inspiration, the poet is depicted as "minutely assembling a sonnet." This suggests that while inspiration is wild and fleeting, the creation of poetry involves careful construction and adherence to form. The sonnet, a highly structured and traditional poetic form, symbolizes how raw inspiration is transformed through disciplined creativity.

The reference to the word of God coming down from the mountain in "carved alphabet of local treaties" ties in the divine with the human. Even divine messages, which one might assume to be incomprehensible or otherworldly, are communicated through human language and familiar shapes. This underscores the idea that profound truths and spiritual experiences are often expressed through common, regimented forms.

The poem’s final lines reflect on the "voice of God" requiring an "avid listener for its sky-wide storm," suggesting that divine or profound experiences need someone to witness and interpret them. This is followed by the image of "formal bones of the middle ear" forming in a womb, signifying the development of the human capacity to hear and understand these experiences. This ending emphasizes the innate human ability to find order and meaning in the chaotic and the divine.

In "Assembly," Goldbarth masterfully illustrates how the untamed and the regulated coexist. The poem explores how natural mysteries, passionate human experiences, and divine inspirations are all understood and expressed through structured, familiar forms. This interplay between the wild and the orderly reflects the complexity of human existence and creativity, highlighting our continuous effort to find meaning and order in the world around us. Through its rich imagery and thought-provoking juxtapositions, "Assembly" invites readers to contemplate the delicate balance between chaos and order in both nature and human life.

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