Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Wrigley’s "Slow Dreams" explores the intimate yet universal disjunction between the grand, cinematic dreams of others and the speaker?s own understated, plodding subconscious visions. Through a blend of humor, self-reflection, and rich imagery, the poem contrasts the expansive creativity of youth with the quieter contemplations of age, ultimately revealing the complexity and depth of both.

The opening lines describe the speaker’s frustration with his dreams: "glacial enactments and thickened plots, / these head dense molassical happenings." This slow-motion, syrupy quality reflects not just the dreams themselves but the speaker’s perception of his own inner world as sluggish and unremarkable. The juxtaposition of "plodding exposition" and "instant, endless crisis" suggests a stagnation even in moments of supposed intensity, setting up the contrast with the vibrant, rapid-fire creativity of his daughter’s dreams.

The daughter’s dream world is a realm of grandeur and immediacy: "whole civilizations fall, entire oeuvres jet / from the pens of poets." These visions are sweeping and profound, encapsulating lifetimes and epochs in "an eye?s rapid blink." The imagery reflects the youthful energy and boundless imagination that the speaker envies and admires. The daughter’s dreams are not bound by logic or limits, creating surreal yet meaningful scenarios such as her "granddaughter... elected president of a country / where only women ride horses." These fantastical elements highlight the fertile creativity of a mind unencumbered by doubt or inhibition.

The contrast deepens when the daughter, curious and engaged, asks her father about his dreams: "what worlds have I seen? what miracles and vast historical tableaux?" The speaker’s response—"some paltry, not even anecdotal sliver"—is laced with both humor and resignation. His dreams are mundane and deeply personal, characterized by small, quiet details rather than sweeping narratives. The image of "paper waves gusher off west and east / from the archetypal mouth of a scissors" is striking in its simplicity, capturing a moment of repetitive, almost meditative action. Similarly, "the tome of unclench, the very continental drift / of a single kiss beginning to end" transforms an intimate gesture into a geologic phenomenon, suggesting that even the smallest moments carry immense weight when observed closely.

The poem culminates in an image of the speaker’s own hands, "approaching me, coming straight at my face / and filled with water that no matter how long held / never completely spills." This dream, though lacking the dramatic flair of his daughter’s, is laden with meaning. The hands and the water evoke themes of self-reflection, containment, and longing. The speaker’s "thirst" becomes a metaphor for his yearning—perhaps for significance, connection, or a fuller understanding of his inner life. This understated yet profound imagery underscores the richness of the speaker’s dreams, even as they stand in contrast to the vivid and dynamic visions of his daughter.

Wrigley’s use of free verse allows the poem to unfold naturally, mirroring the fluid and often unpredictable nature of dreams. The conversational tone and self-deprecating humor invite the reader into the speaker’s perspective, making his reflections relatable and poignant. The imagery, though understated in places, is carefully crafted to reveal the beauty and depth of seemingly mundane moments.

"Slow Dreams" is a meditation on the contrast between the imaginative expansiveness of youth and the quieter introspection of age. Through the lens of dreams, Robert Wrigley examines how individuals perceive and value their own inner worlds, highlighting the quiet profundity of small, personal moments. The poem ultimately affirms that whether grand or subtle, dreams—and the lives they reflect—carry meaning and significance in their own unique ways.

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