Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth's poem "Keats' Phrase" intricately weaves personal memory, literary reference, and philosophical musings into a reflection on the unseen forces that shape our lives. The poem begins with the speaker invoking the presence of his long-deceased father, whose guidance and influence remain palpable even decades after his death. This spectral presence is described with vivid intimacy: the father offers advice, expresses pride, and radiates a "rough-hewn love," all of which the speaker now heeds with a reverence that eluded him during his father's lifetime. The father's advice is "measurable," not in conventional terms but in the subtle, yet profound way that absences leave their mark on the living.

The poem's title and central motif, "Negative capability," is borrowed from John Keats, who coined the term to describe the ability to embrace uncertainty and ambiguity without the compulsion to resolve them. This idea is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, illustrating how the speaker navigates the complexities of memory and emotion. Keats's concept becomes a lens through which the speaker views the world, acknowledging the unknown and the unknowable as intrinsic parts of existence.

Goldbarth juxtaposes this philosophical notion with everyday experiences, creating a tapestry of contrasting images and scenarios. He likens the process of grappling with uncertainty to early maritime cartography, where the edges of known territories were marked with "Here There Be Monsters." This metaphor captures the human tendency to fill voids with imagined fears, much like Eddie's struggle with his wife's return to stripping. Eddie's mind becomes a breeding ground for insecurities and jealousy, manifesting as "monsters" that haunt his thoughts.

The poem also delves into the concept of "dark energy," an unseen force that propels the universe's expansion. This scientific analogy reinforces Keats's idea, suggesting that the unknown can be a source of generative power. Just as dark energy is fundamental to the cosmos, so too are the unseen influences in our lives—memories, emotions, and the legacies of those who have passed on.

The poem's closing lines shift to a humorous yet poignant exchange among friends mourning the closure of The Dusty Bookshelf, a beloved local bookstore. This anecdote underscores the theme of support and absence in a tangible, relatable context. The speaker's attempt to "support" the bookstore by visiting contrasts with B's effort to support it by abstaining from visiting, highlighting the paradoxical ways in which we engage with the things we value.

Goldbarth's "Keats' Phrase" is a meditation on the enduring impact of those who are no longer physically present, the acceptance of life's uncertainties, and the recognition of unseen forces that shape our experiences. Through rich imagery and personal reflection, the poem captures the essence of negative capability, urging readers to find beauty and meaning in the spaces between certainty and doubt.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...