Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Ars Poetica" is a satirical take on the nature of poetry and the literary establishment, with an explicit nod to Archibald MacLeish's well-known poem of the same name and a playful jab at Marianne Moore's poetic philosophy. The poem humorously critiques the pretensions of certain poets and the reception of their work within academic circles, blending colloquial language with sharp wit.

The opening lines set a tone of preemptive judgment: "Even before his book came out / We knew there wasn't any doubt / That these was poems forevermore." This introduction suggests a skeptical anticipation of the poet’s work, hinting at an already formed opinion about its quality and lasting impact. The use of "we" indicates a collective voice, perhaps representing the literary community or critics, who are ready to pass judgment.

Nemerov continues with the phrase, "Such as the guy wrote the slogan for," likely referencing MacLeish’s famous line, "A poem should not mean / But be." The poem quickly dismisses this lofty ideal with a humorous, almost dismissive tone: "They wuz not mean, they wuz— / Big pear-shaped poems, ready to parse / In the next Creative Writing clarse." The deliberate misspelling and colloquial pronunciation ("wuz," "clarse") inject a sense of playful irreverence, mocking the over-analysis and academic dissection of poetry in creative writing classes.

The poet’s fall is described with a pun: "Yeh, he sure fell flat on his ars / Poetica that time," where "ars" simultaneously refers to the anatomical feature and a distorted version of "Ars Poetica." This line humorously critiques the poet's failure to live up to the high standards or expectations set by the literary tradition, instead producing work that is both "palpable and mute." The phrase "palpable and mute" echoes MacLeish’s assertion that a poem should be "palpable and mute / As a globed fruit," but Nemerov twists it to convey the sense that the poet's work, while tangible, lacks meaningful impact.

The final image of the poem, "As an old globed fruit," underscores this critique. The "old globed fruit" metaphor suggests something that was once ripe and full of potential but has since become stale and unremarkable. This concluding image encapsulates Nemerov's satirical take on the poet and his work, suggesting that it has failed to retain its vitality and relevance.

In "Ars Poetica," Howard Nemerov combines humor, satire, and a critical eye to explore the nature of poetry and its reception in the literary world. By playfully mocking the pretensions and academic posturing often associated with poetry, Nemerov invites readers to reflect on the true essence of poetic expression and the gap between lofty ideals and actual practice. The poem’s blend of colloquial language and literary allusion creates a unique voice that challenges conventional views of what poetry should be, while also providing a lighthearted critique of the literary establishment.

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