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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Figures of Thought" by Howard Nemerov delves into the interconnectedness of natural forms and human actions through the lens of mathematical patterns and necessity. The poem explores the beauty of discovering these patterns and the implications of such discoveries for understanding the world and our place within it. The poem begins with the image of the "logarithmic spiral," a mathematical concept that describes a curve that appears frequently in nature, such as in sea-shells and leaves. Nemerov marvels at the universality of this spiral, how it "fit[s]" so perfectly in different contexts. This opening sets the tone for the poem's exploration of patterns and the underlying order in the natural world. Nemerov extends this observation to human actions, specifically in the context of a fighter pilot's maneuver: "To watch the same idea work itself out / In the fighter pilot's steepening, tightening turn / Onto his target, setting up the kill." The fighter pilot's turn mirrors the natural spiral, suggesting a connection between the mechanics of war and the forms found in nature. This comparison introduces a sense of inevitability and precision, highlighting how deeply ingrained these patterns are in both life and death. The poem continues with the flight of "certain wall-eyed bugs / Who cannot see to fly straight into death / But have to cast their sidelong glance at it / And come but cranking to the candle's flame." This imagery evokes the behavior of insects attracted to light, despite their erratic and seemingly haphazard flight paths. The bugs' indirect approach to the flame symbolizes the often circuitous routes living beings take toward their destinies, further underscoring the theme of inevitable patterns in nature. Nemerov reflects on the "secret" nature of these patterns and the privilege of recognizing them: "How secret that is, and how privileged / One feels to find the same necessity / Ciphered in forms diverse and otherwise / Without kinship." The discovery of such patterns across unrelated forms is seen as a profound and beautiful insight, revealing a deeper order and connection within the diversity of the natural world. The poem acknowledges that this beauty lies "not obvious, / Not inaccessible, but just between." This phrase suggests that while these patterns are not immediately apparent, they are not entirely hidden either; they exist in a space that requires both curiosity and insight to perceive. Nemerov concludes with a contemplative thought on the implications of these patterns: "It may diminish some our dry delight / To wonder if everything we are and do / Lies subject to some little law like that; / Hidden in nature, but not deeply so." This reflection introduces a hint of existential questioning, pondering whether all aspects of human behavior and existence are governed by simple, underlying laws. The recognition of such laws might lessen the sense of spontaneity and freedom, but it also provides a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. "Figures of Thought" by Howard Nemerov masterfully blends observations of nature, human actions, and mathematical principles to explore the profound and often hidden connections that underlie our world. Through its rich imagery and contemplative tone, the poem invites readers to reflect on the beauty and complexity of these patterns, and what they reveal about the nature of existence.
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