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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Howard Nemerov’s poem "Marvell" engages in a playful and reflective dialogue with the work of the 17th-century poet Andrew Marvell, particularly his poem "To His Coy Mistress." Through vivid imagery and a tone that blends admiration with gentle irony, Nemerov explores the themes of time, growth, and the natural world’s relentless pace. The poem opens with a direct address to Marvell, questioning his assertion about the slowness of vegetables: "Slow, dear Marvell? Vegetables are slow?" This line immediately sets a conversational and somewhat incredulous tone. Nemerov contrasts Marvell’s leisurely contemplation of love and time with the rapid and vigorous growth observed in the natural world. Nemerov acknowledges the slowness attributed to "your mistress," "empires," and even "love, given a millennial Reich to grow," nodding to the grand, slow-moving forces that Marvell might consider in his poetic meditations. However, Nemerov quickly shifts the focus to the present, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of growth in his own environment: "But here it isn't August yet, and yet / The painted gourd's already gone over the wall." The poem paints a vivid picture of a garden teeming with life and activity. The gourd growing beyond its confines, the grapevine "wrestling with the tops of trees," and the moss roses "firing a steady bloom a day" all convey a sense of exuberant and almost chaotic growth. This imagery contrasts sharply with the more measured, deliberate growth Marvell might have envisioned. Nemerov continues this vivid depiction with "Two castor beans darken the picture window," and "sunflowers are up to toppling at twelve feet tall." These lines emphasize the almost aggressive nature of plant growth, as it intrudes upon human spaces and reaches impressive heights with a speed that demands attention. The invocation of Jonah’s gourd is particularly striking: "Good god, dear man, consider Jonah's gourd / And be amazed thereat, and at the speed / Of grass and hay and all green growing things." Jonah's gourd, which grew overnight to provide shade and then withered just as quickly, serves as a biblical example of rapid natural growth. Nemerov uses this reference to underscore his point about the surprising speed and vigor of the natural world. In "Marvell," Nemerov deftly combines admiration for Marvell’s contemplative style with a playful challenge to his ideas about time and growth. The poem’s lively imagery and conversational tone invite readers to reconsider the natural world’s dynamics, recognizing that even the seemingly slow process of plant growth can be a rapid and relentless force. Through this engaging dialogue with Marvell, Nemerov highlights the beauty and vitality of the natural world, urging a renewed appreciation for its pace and power.
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