Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "Guillaume Apollinaire" by Gertrude Stein offers a fitting tribute to Apollinaire, a poet known for his complex interplay of images and sounds. Stein, a formidable modernist writer and a contemporary of Apollinaire, employs her characteristic style of abstraction and repetition to create an enigmatic yet resonant text that mimics Apollinaire's own avant-garde sensibilities.

"Give known or pin ware" perhaps alludes to Apollinaire's role in pioneering new forms in poetry, known for both his innovative works and his ability to "pin" or identify art movements, like Surrealism. This line may reflect on the challenges and choices an artist faces-whether to produce "known" or familiar works or to pin down something entirely new ("ware").

"Fancy teeth, gas strips" could evoke images of World War I, during which Apollinaire served and was wounded. "Fancy teeth" may be an ironic comment on the viciousness of war that is dressed up as a form of glory, while "gas strips" could allude to the brutal chemical warfare introduced in the conflict. Both poets were deeply affected by the war, and this line might serve as a shared recognition of its horrors.

"elbow elect, sour stout pore, pore caesar, pour state at" is harder to decipher but is rich in sonic qualities. The words seem almost to mimic the rhythms and disruptions found in modern life, echoing the chaos of the early 20th century that both Stein and Apollinaire witnessed. Here, Stein might be reflecting on the choices or elections one makes in life ("elbow elect"), which can result in both bitter and robust outcomes ("sour stout pore").

"Leave eye lessons I. Leave I. Lessons. I. Leave I lessons, I" brings the poem to a complex close. The repetition of "Leave" and "Lessons" creates a rhythmic force that echoes the uncertainty and continuous learning that characterize human existence. The line may also be an invitation or an imperative to remember the lessons that both life and art provide, a fitting reminder for a poem dedicated to an artist like Apollinaire, who sought to challenge and expand the boundaries of poetic form and meaning.

The poem serves as a condensed yet expansive tribute to Apollinaire, capturing the tumult, ambiguity, and ceaseless questioning that marked his life and work. In its layered meanings and sonic playfulness, Stein's work not only celebrates but also emulates the essence of Apollinaire's own poetic endeavors. It stands as an homage to a kindred spirit, capturing the challenges and contradictions of art and life in the early 20th century.

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