Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marilyn Hacker’s “Nights of 1964-1966: The Old Reliable” paints a vivid, nostalgic, and poignant portrait of a vibrant community during the tumultuous 1960s. The poem, dedicated to Lewis Ellingham, captures the essence of a bygone era marked by artistic exploration, social upheaval, and personal transformation. Through rich, detailed imagery and an intimate narrative voice, Hacker immerses readers in the dynamic and diverse world of the Old Reliable bar, a sanctuary for eclectic individuals pursuing their dreams and coping with their struggles.

The poem opens with an allusion to James Fenton’s line, “The laughing soldiers fought to their defeat,” setting a tone of bittersweet reflection. This line hints at the underlying tensions and inevitable downfalls that accompany the exuberant and rebellious spirit of the 1960s. Hacker’s detailed description of the bar’s patrons—“White decorators interested in Art, / Black file clerks with theatrical ambitions”—highlights the diversity and shared aspirations of the community. These individuals, each with unique backgrounds and goals, find common ground in their nightly gatherings at the bar.

Hacker’s use of vivid, specific details brings the scene to life. The mention of “lethal sweet Manhattans” and “improvised concoctions with tequila” evokes the hedonistic atmosphere of the bar, where people seek both solace and excitement. The bar, run by Polish refugees Margie and Speedy, is depicted as a microcosm of the larger cultural melting pot of the time. Margie’s role in managing the bar’s clientele—excluding “the underage, the fugitive, and those / arrayed impertinently to their sex”—reflects the bar’s attempt to maintain a semblance of order amidst the chaos.

The poem transitions smoothly between scenes of camaraderie and moments of personal introspection. Hacker’s reflection on her relationships, such as with the “eighteen-year-old genius” Link and her roommates Bill and Russell, adds depth to the narrative. These relationships, characterized by artistic collaboration and romantic entanglements, illustrate the interconnectedness and fluidity of the community’s bonds. Bill’s transformation from a monk in Kyoto to a lover of “poppers and black leather” symbolizes the era’s embrace of new identities and experiences.

Hacker’s portrayal of the bar’s social and political consciousness is particularly compelling. The patrons’ discussions range from literary ambitions—planning a magazine where “North Beach met the Lower East Side Scene”—to political activism, with some members joining movements like SNCC and CORE. This engagement with both art and activism reflects the broader cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s, where personal expression and social change were deeply intertwined.

The poem’s closing lines are poignant and somber, capturing the inevitable passage of time and the loss that accompanies it. The transformation of the community members—file clerks advancing in their careers, decorators’ kitchens blazing with color, the secretary exploring new romantic relationships—contrasts with the stark reality that many of Hacker’s friends are now gone. The final line, “and my three friends are dead,” delivers a powerful, understated acknowledgment of mortality and the ephemeral nature of the vibrant world Hacker has so vividly depicted.

In “Nights of 1964-1966: The Old Reliable,” Marilyn Hacker masterfully captures the essence of a unique time and place, blending personal recollection with broader social and cultural themes. Through her rich, evocative language and keen observations, Hacker invites readers to share in the joys, struggles, and transformations of a diverse and dynamic community, leaving a lasting impression of the enduring human spirit amidst change and loss.

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