Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s "Weave" explores the intricate connections and disconnections between individuals, capturing the tension between physical precision and metaphysical uncertainty. The poem navigates through themes of physicality, love, and the inexplicable essence of human experiences.

Goldbarth begins by presenting two figures, a runner and a swimmer, each intimately familiar with their own bodies. The runner, with his “borzoi torso,” navigates the urban and rural landscapes, while the swimmer, described with the fluidity of a "fern-shimmy," moves through the green gym pool. These individuals are characterized by their mastery over their bodies, moving with the ease and precision of animals in their natural habitats. This vivid imagery of physical control and grace sets the stage for a deeper exploration of what lies beneath the surface.

Despite their physical prowess, Goldbarth suggests that there is something within them that cannot be controlled or exercised willfully. This internal, ineffable quality is depicted as a "question mark" that hooks and glows with opalescence, hinting at the presence of the numinous or the inexplicable in their lives. This element represents the mysteries and uncertainties that underlie human existence, transcending mere physicality.

After a moment of intimacy, the two figures lie side by side, creating a simple, yet profound connection on the bedsheet. This act is likened to the initial rough pencil coordinates on an uncharted territory (terra incognita), suggesting that even in their union, there remains much to be discovered about each other and about life itself. Their connection is portrayed as a “suture cross-stitched on The Ineffable's skin,” indicating that their bond is both delicate and significant, a small part of a larger, incomprehensible whole.

Goldbarth emphasizes the universality of their experience, stating that they are "everyone." This universality is linked to the idea of the numinous, the no-name, and the inexplicable, which "underwobbles us all." The poem delves into the notion that life is filled with moments that are both tangible and intangible, and often, these moments intersect in profound ways.

The poem then shifts to a metaphorical exploration of touch and connection. Goldbarth references Tutankhamun's crossed arms as a symbol of touching and going on, as well as the nurse's first slap to a newborn’s bottom, which sets the trajectory of a new life. These instances of touch and initiation are pivotal moments that resonate with the poem’s exploration of crossing into and out of the personal and the universal.

The narrative expands to encompass a more personal reflection, as the poem becomes part of the speaker’s "Diary of Astonishments." This diary, filled with moments of wonder and amazement, reflects the folding of time, where past and present intersect in unexpected ways. The poem concludes with the image of a thirty-one-year-old man and a five-year-old child passing each other on the street without recognition. This fleeting moment captures the essence of Goldbarth’s meditation on the connections and disconnections that define human existence.

In "Weave," Goldbarth masterfully intertwines the physical and metaphysical, exploring the ways in which individuals navigate their own bodies and the larger mysteries of life. The poem's imagery and narrative shifts create a tapestry of human experience that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Through the juxtaposition of control and uncertainty, Goldbarth invites readers to reflect on the profound connections that shape our lives, even in the most fleeting and unrecognized moments.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...