Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Stanley Kunitz's poem "Hemorrhage" is a powerful and complex reflection on societal decay, collective guilt, and the consequences of ignoring profound human suffering. Through rich and evocative imagery, Kunitz explores themes of blame, exile, and the public's reaction to a figure who symbolizes deep-seated issues.

The poem begins with a striking image of people forming a ring around a man in the park: "The people made a ring / Around the man in the park." This formation suggests both curiosity and a desire to distance themselves from the man, who is described as "our banished king / Of blames and staunchless flows." The man represents a figure of blame and uncontrolled emotional or physical outpouring, hinting at an overwhelming and unresolved grief or trauma.

The term "Exhibitor of the dark / Abominable rose" vividly portrays the man as someone who reveals the dark, hidden aspects of human nature or society. The "abominable rose" symbolizes a terrible beauty, something that is both alluring and repulsive, encapsulating the paradox of the man's presence and the emotions he evokes.

"Our chief, returned at last / From exile, with the grim / Stamina of the lost," indicates that this man, once an important figure, has endured great suffering during his time away. His return is not triumphant but marked by the resilience of someone who has been profoundly changed by hardship.

The collective reaction is one of fear and dread: "Wildly we dreaded him / And the menace of his heart / Unbosomed, crawling down / Ditches where papers blow." This imagery suggests that the man's presence and the emotional truth he represents are something the public fears and wishes to avoid. The mention of "crawling down / Ditches" and "smearing the sills of the town" conveys a sense of pervasive contamination, as if his pain is spreading through the community.

The cry to "Stop! we know / How much a man contains" underscores a recognition of the depth of human suffering and complexity. It implies that there is an awareness of the man's pain and the potential consequences of his return, yet this knowledge is insufficient to prevent the unfolding events.

The poem takes a turn with the description of the public's actions: "We picnicked all that day, / Dishonored signs that nayed us, / Pulled marigolds, were gay / Before the apes, smashed glass." This juxtaposition of a picnic and acts of rebellion and destruction indicates a dissonance between the surface-level gaiety and underlying discontent. The public's defiance, "Rifles could not have made us / Keep off the bloody grass," speaks to a deep-seated frustration and anger that cannot be suppressed.

"For we were sick of crimes / Against us, and the head / Pitched on the absorbing Times, / And no one to accuse, / And nothing paid for," reflects a collective sense of injustice and helplessness. The "crimes against us" suggests a history of wrongs that have gone unaddressed, leading to a state of disillusionment and rage. The image of the "head / Pitched on the absorbing Times" alludes to a public figure or symbol of authority being disregarded or consumed by the relentless passage of time.

The final lines, "And we read, / We read that day what blotted out the news," indicate a turning point or revelation. The act of reading "what blotted out the news" suggests that the public became aware of a deeper truth or realization that overshadowed the trivialities or distractions of everyday life.

In "Hemorrhage," Kunitz masterfully captures the interplay between individual suffering and collective response, using vivid imagery to convey the complexity of human emotions and societal dynamics. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the often-ignored undercurrents of pain and the consequences of societal neglect and indifference. Through its rich language and emotional depth, "Hemorrhage" invites readers to reflect on the impact of shared traumas and the necessity of confronting uncomfortable truths.

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