Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Of Being Numerous: 5," George Oppen offers a stark, almost haunting reflection on time, memory, and the nature of consciousness, using the imagery of a bridge and its surroundings to evoke a sense of permanence and isolation. The poem's brevity and precise language capture the tension between the enduring, physical world and the transient nature of human thought and experience.

The poem opens with the image of "The great stone / Above the river / In the pylon of the bridge." This evokes a sense of monumental permanence, as the stone—an integral part of the bridge's structure—stands solid and unchanging above the flowing river. The bridge itself can be seen as a symbol of connection, spanning across time and space, linking different moments and places. However, the focus on the "great stone" emphasizes the enduring nature of certain elements in contrast to the ever-changing flow of the river below, suggesting a tension between stability and change, between the fixed and the fluid.

The inscription "‘1875’" on the stone situates the poem in a specific historical context, grounding the present moment in the past. The year 1875 serves as a marker of time, a reminder of the bridge's long-standing existence, and by extension, the passage of time. The inscription, frozen in stone, signifies a moment that has been preserved, untouched by the passing years. Yet, this fixed point in time also highlights the distance between the past and the present, underscoring the idea that while physical structures may endure, the human experience of time is fleeting and continually moving forward.

Oppen continues with the image of the stone "Frozen in the moonlight / In the frozen air over the footpath, consciousness." The repetition of the word "frozen" emphasizes the stillness and coldness of the scene, creating an atmosphere of immobility and detachment. The moonlight, often associated with reflection and introspection, casts a cold, unyielding light on the stone, further reinforcing the sense of isolation and permanence. The mention of "consciousness" in this context suggests a mind that is similarly frozen, caught in a moment of self-awareness that is both detached and self-contained.

The phrase "Which has nothing to gain, which awaits nothing, / Which loves itself" describes a state of consciousness that is completely self-sufficient, existing without expectation or desire. This self-contained consciousness is indifferent to the passage of time, to external events, and to the world around it. It "loves itself," indicating a kind of narcissistic or solipsistic state, where the mind is turned inward, content in its own existence. This suggests a form of awareness that is at once pure and sterile, devoid of the usual drives and motivations that characterize human experience.

In "Of Being Numerous: 5," Oppen meditates on the tension between the enduring physical world and the transient, self-reflective nature of human consciousness. The imagery of the bridge, the stone, and the frozen moonlight create a scene of stark, cold permanence, contrasting with the fleeting, isolated nature of human awareness. The poem invites readers to consider the relationship between time, memory, and self-awareness, and to reflect on the ways in which we navigate the world as both physical beings and conscious minds. Through its evocative language and precise imagery, the poem captures the complexity of existence in a world where permanence and transience are in constant interplay.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...