Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Galway Kinnell's poem "Geese" captures the majestic and almost mystical flight of geese as they navigate the Connecticut Valley. The poem begins with a vivid image of the geese coming over the peak and spotting the river they will follow. This sight initiates a transformation within the flock, as "bodies, or cells, begin to tumble between the streamers of their formation," which creates a dynamic shift in their collective movement. This movement is described with the precision of a "snowplowing skier," emphasizing the grace and fluidity of the geese as they adjust their formation.

The poem's focus on the geese's instinctive behavior highlights a natural harmony and balance. The geese's flight pattern, described as thinning on one side and thickening on the other, symbolizes the intricate balance and coordination required for their journey. Kinnell uses this imagery to evoke a sense of awe at the geese's ability to maintain their "inner equipoise" as they turn and head towards the light, which is "spelled into the river's windings eons ago." This line suggests a timeless connection between the geese and the landscape, as if their flight is guided by ancient, natural patterns.

The description of the geese's bodies "flashing white against the white sky when the wings lift, and black when they fall" captures the interplay between visibility and invisibility. The geese become a part of the sky, their movements creating a rhythmic pattern of light and shadow. This imagery of the "invisible continuously perforating the visible" evokes a sense of the ethereal, as if the geese are part of a larger, unseen order.

Kinnell further explores this theme by describing the geese's flight as a "tremble" that eventually vanishes, but not before "semi-vanish[ing], as a mirage or deepest desire does when it gets the right distance from us and becomes rhythmic." This comparison of the geese to a mirage or a deep desire adds a layer of introspection to the poem. It suggests that the geese, like our deepest longings, exist on the edge of perception, always just out of reach yet profoundly influencing our sense of the world.

"Geese" is a meditation on the natural world's beauty and mystery, focusing on the geese's flight to illustrate broader themes of balance, visibility, and desire. Kinnell's use of precise, evocative imagery and rhythmic language invites readers to contemplate the deeper connections between nature and the human experience. Through the geese's journey, the poem explores how moments of beauty and desire can fleetingly appear and then vanish, leaving a lasting impression on our consciousness.

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