Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Day on the Big Branch" is a reflective and richly detailed narrative that explores themes of escape, nature, atonement, and the human condition. The poem captures a group of friends seeking solace and perhaps redemption in the wilderness after a night of indulgence, using their journey as a metaphor for broader existential contemplation.

The poem opens with the remnants of a night of revelry: "Still half drunk, after a night at cards, / with the grey dawn taking us unaware / among our guilty kings and queens." This sets the scene for the weariness and guilt the characters carry with them as they head north to a stream in the high hills. The journey is both a physical escape and a symbolic attempt to find peace or "consolidate gains" in the wilderness, a place traditionally associated with purification and renewal.

The reference to bringing "the biblical bread and cheese / and cigarettes" emphasizes the simplicity of their provisions, juxtaposed with their complex inner turmoil. The aim is to drink "only the clear cold water / among the stones, and remember, or forget," highlighting their desire to cleanse both body and mind.

As they climb the "giant stair of the stream," the poem shifts to a vivid description of the natural setting: "It was as promised, a wonder, with granite walls / enclosing ledges, long and flat, of limestone." Nemerov’s detailed imagery brings the scene to life, presenting nature as both an awe-inspiring and intimidating force. The water is described as "fast and still, pouring its yellow light, / and green, over the tilted slabs of the floor," creating a dynamic and almost otherworldly environment.

The group's interaction with this setting is one of reverence and resignation. They strip naked, bathe, and lie back on the rocks, awaiting "nature to say the last word." The comparison to "Memnon stones, / which, caught in a certain light, would sing" suggests a hope for some revelation or deeper understanding from nature. However, the reality is more sobering: "The mountain brought forth not a mouse, and the rocks... / were modern American rocks, and hard as rocks." This blunt assessment reflects the harsh truth that nature, while beautiful, offers no easy answers or comfort.

The poem then delves into philosophical and existential musings. The characters grapple with their thoughts on "primitive simplicity and decadence" and the impact of civilization on their lives. They lament how they have been "ruined by civilization" and express a cynical view of ideals like those espoused by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This section underscores the dissonance between their idealized notions of nature and the harsh reality they face.

Despite their disillusionment, the natural setting does impart some wisdom: "the water, the sunlight, and the wind / did something." The elements of nature provoke thoughts on humility, patience, and endurance. The imagery of rocks being "eroded, or broken, or ground down into pebbles by the stream's necessitous and grave currents" serves as a powerful metaphor for the human condition—how life’s trials and tribulations shape and wear down the individual.

The poem concludes with a sobering realization as they head home: "how of three bridges / not one had held the stream." The destructive power of the stream, which has "smashed practically back to nature, / the massive masonry of span after span," is a stark reminder of nature’s indifferent force. This sight leaves the group contemplative and quiet, reflecting on the futility of their efforts to impose order on the natural world.

"Day on the Big Branch" by Howard Nemerov is a rich and layered poem that explores the intersection of human folly, the search for meaning, and the relentless power of nature. Through detailed imagery and reflective narrative, Nemerov captures the complex emotions and insights that arise from a day spent seeking solace in the wilderness. The poem invites readers to consider the tensions between civilization and nature, and the often-painful process of confronting one's inner turmoil in the face of the sublime.

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