Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Old Picture," Howard Nemerov crafts a scene of historical significance and subtle emotional depth, using the imagery of a richly detailed old painting to explore themes of power, destiny, and the interplay between innocence and control. The poem captures a moment frozen in time, presenting a tableau that invites contemplation on the roles and expectations imposed on the young by those in power.

The poem opens with a vivid description of "Two children, dressed in court costume," immediately placing the reader in a context of formality and tradition. The children, bearing symbolic objects—a scepter and a book—represent authority and knowledge, hinting at their future roles and responsibilities. The serious look they exchange suggests an awareness beyond their years, a recognition of the weight of the expectations placed upon them.

Nemerov then shifts the focus to the observers in the scene: "High in a gallery above, / Grave persons frown upon their love." These figures, likely elders or authority figures, cast a somber and judgmental gaze upon the children, embodying societal pressures and the scrutiny that accompanies their positions. The use of the word "love" here may imply not just romantic affection, but also a bond of shared destiny and mutual understanding, which is being monitored and controlled by those in power.

The poem introduces more layers of intrigue with "Yonder behind the silken screen / Whispers the bishop with the queen." This clandestine conversation between two powerful figures suggests manipulation and secret planning, reinforcing the idea that the children's futures are being orchestrated behind the scenes. The bishop and queen symbolize the intertwining of religious and secular power, both of which exert control over the lives of the young.

Nemerov further explores the theme of predetermined destiny with the lines "These hold the future tightly reined, / It shall be as they have ordained." The metaphor of holding the future "tightly reined" evokes the image of a tightly controlled horse, unable to stray from the path set by its rider. This control is absolute, suggesting that the children's lives are meticulously planned out, leaving little room for personal agency or deviation.

The poem concludes with a stark juxtaposition of life's milestones: "The bridal bed already made, / The crypt also richly arrayed." This coupling of the bridal bed and the crypt, symbols of marriage and death, underscores the inevitability of the life cycle and the inescapable nature of the roles the children are destined to play. The richness of both the bed and the crypt implies that their lives, though luxurious and privileged, are ultimately bound by the same fate as all humanity—culmination in death.

Structurally, the poem is concise, its brief yet vivid lines echoing the clarity and permanence of a historical painting. The rhyme scheme lends a rhythmic quality that mirrors the formal and measured life depicted within the scene. Each stanza builds upon the previous one, layering meaning and reinforcing the central themes of control, destiny, and the intersection of innocence with the weight of societal expectations.

In "Old Picture," Howard Nemerov skillfully uses the medium of a historical painting to explore timeless themes of power and predestination. The poem's rich imagery and careful construction invite readers to reflect on how the forces of history, authority, and societal expectation shape and constrain individual lives. Through this poignant tableau, Nemerov captures the delicate balance between innocence and the heavy burden of inherited roles, highlighting the universal tension between personal desires and the immutable forces that govern human existence.

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