Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Kenneth Koch’s poem “Bricks,” the reader is transported into a surreal world where inanimate objects and living beings alike express themselves with a sense of poetic abandon. This poem blends elements of personification, symbolism, and a dreamy narrative to evoke a contemplative atmosphere.

The poem begins with a striking image: "The bricks in a wall / Sang this song." The personification of the bricks sets a whimsical tone, suggesting that even the most mundane objects have stories to tell. Their song is simple yet profound: "We shall not fall / The whole day long / But white and small / Lie in abandon." This refrain conveys a sense of steadfastness and resilience, yet it also hints at a quiet resignation, a willingness to lie in abandon, suggesting a peaceful acceptance of their static existence.

The scene shifts as a "fair maid" passes by with her love. The maid’s dialogue, "There are stars above / Where they have been laid / Let us lie in abandon," introduces a romantic element to the poem. The mention of stars elevates the setting from the earthly to the celestial, infusing the moment with a sense of timelessness and universality. The repetition of "lie in abandon" links the human characters to the bricks, suggesting a shared desire for simplicity and tranquility.

The tone of the poem darkens as it introduces predatory animals: "Then the wolf came / With his teeth in abandon / And the lion came / With his teeth in abandon." The repetition of "with his teeth in abandon" emphasizes the primal and uncontrollable nature of these creatures. Their presence introduces a sense of danger and chaos, contrasting sharply with the earlier peaceful scenes. Yet, even in their ferocity, there is a sense of surrender to instinct, a natural abandon.

The narrative reaches a poignant moment when the lion reaches the "white stone / And he kissed the field's grass / And he lay in abandon." This image merges the ferocity of the lion with a tender, almost human action of kissing the grass. The lion’s final act of lying in abandon ties back to the earlier themes of peace and resignation, suggesting a universal longing for rest and surrender, regardless of one’s nature.

The concluding lines, “I forget if she was / Or he was the stone / Or if it was the animals,” and, “Everything comes soon,” introduce a reflective, almost philosophical note. The confusion about identities—whether the maid, her love, or the animals are the stone—blurs the lines between animate and inanimate, human and animal. This ambiguity reinforces the poem’s dream-like quality, suggesting that all things, regardless of form, share a common fate of inevitable surrender. The final line, "Everything comes soon," echoes a sense of inevitability and acceptance, hinting at the transient nature of existence and the ultimate unity of all beings in their surrender to time.

Koch’s “Bricks” is a meditation on resilience, love, primal instincts, and the universal desire for peace and rest. Through its simple yet evocative language, the poem invites readers to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things and the serene beauty of accepting one’s place in the world. The recurring motif of lying in abandon serves as a gentle reminder of the peace that can be found in surrender, whether one is a brick in a wall, a fair maid, a fierce animal, or simply a soul seeking rest.

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