Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Stanley Jasspon Kunitz’s poem “Crystal Cage” pays tribute to the artist Joseph Cornell, known for his surrealist shadow boxes that encapsulate wonder and nostalgia. Through evocative imagery and a contemplative tone, Kunitz delves into the meditative and transformative experience of engaging with Cornell’s art. The poem explores themes of discovery, enchantment, and the transcendent nature of artistic creation.

The poem begins with a journey: “To climb the belltower, step after step, in the grainy light, / without breathing harder.” This ascent is both literal and metaphorical, suggesting a quest for higher understanding or enlightenment. The “grainy light” evokes an old, sepia-toned photograph, imbuing the scene with a sense of timelessness and antiquity. The calm, deliberate pace of the climb, “without breathing harder,” indicates a serene, almost meditative state.

On each landing of the belltower, the speaker encounters a “basket of gifts, a snowbox of wonders.” These baskets symbolize Cornell’s art, which often includes found objects and elements of surprise. The “snowbox of wonders” is a direct nod to Cornell’s shadow boxes, which encapsulate small, magical worlds. The objects within these boxes—“pressed flowers, pieces of colored glass, / a postcard from Niagara Falls, agates, cut-outs of birds”—are emblematic of Cornell’s ability to find beauty and significance in the mundane. These items evoke a sense of nostalgia and childlike wonder, transporting the viewer to a world of imagination and memory.

The inclusion of “Child Mozart at the Clavichord” in “faded mezzotint” further enhances this sense of historical and artistic reverence. Mozart, a prodigy and symbol of pure artistic genius, represents the timeless nature of true creativity. The faded mezzotint, a form of printmaking known for its delicate gradations of tone, suggests the fragility and enduring beauty of art.

Kunitz then shifts to a more personal aspect of the artist’s experience: “Three days you fasted to bring you angels; your square-toed shoes, friends of your plodding, / are turning weightless.” The fasting implies a period of intense focus and spiritual preparation, as if Cornell was seeking divine inspiration for his creations. The “square-toed shoes” symbolize the artist’s humble, grounded nature, while their transformation to weightlessness suggests a transcendence, an elevation beyond the ordinary through artistic inspiration.

The appearance of the “pear-shaped, brindled cat who lives under the belfry” introduces a whimsical, yet intimate element. The cat, a creature often associated with mystery and independence, symbolizes the unexpected and enchanting aspects of life that Cornell embraced in his art. The cat’s “love-look” and the “blissful secrets she confides / to you in oval, pellucid tones” highlight a deep connection between the artist and his muse, suggesting that inspiration and beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.

In summary, Stanley Jasspon Kunitz’s “Crystal Cage” is a richly textured homage to Joseph Cornell, capturing the essence of his art and the profound, almost mystical experience of engaging with it. Through detailed and evocative imagery, Kunitz illustrates the artist’s journey of discovery and the transformative power of creativity. The poem invites readers to appreciate the beauty in the small and the mundane, and to recognize the transcendent nature of true artistic vision.

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