Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's "Brief Journey West" delves into themes of legacy, decay, and the passage of time, as seen through the lens of a generation of aging pioneers. The poem's rich imagery and contemplative tone invite readers to reflect on the sacrifices and enduring impacts of these forebears, as well as the shifting nature of their desires and aspirations.

The poem opens with a stark image: "By the dry road the fathers cough and spit, / This is their room." This immediately situates the fathers in a barren, inhospitable environment, underscoring their age and declining health. The road they inhabit is "dry," evoking a sense of desolation and weariness. These men are the ones who "hung / That bloody sun upon the southern wall / And crushed the armored beetle to the floor," suggesting both their achievements and the violence inherent in their legacy. The "bloody sun" and the "armored beetle" evoke a harsh, unforgiving landscape that they have tamed through force.

The fathers' physical appearance is described as "seamed and dry," their skin a map of the harsh region they have conquered. This imagery of the body as a landscape suggests a deep connection between the pioneers and the land they have worked so hard to transform. Their efforts have resulted in a "cracked precipitate" of history, a residue of their past actions and struggles.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, contemplating the ultimate futility of their efforts: "Until the glass be shattered and the sun / Descend to burn the prosperous flesh away / Of the filthy world, so vilely fathered on / The fathers, such black cinders, sitting there." This apocalyptic vision implies that the fruits of their labor may ultimately be destroyed, leaving only "black cinders" behind. The fathers, now old and contemplative, reflect on the fleeting nature of their accomplishments.

Nemerov poignantly addresses the diminished desires of these aging men: "Old pioneers, what lecheries remain? / When schoolgirls pass, what whispers of their skirts, / Cold gleams of flesh, solicit in your veined / And gemlike eyes the custom of desire? None now." The fathers' once potent desires have faded, replaced by a "sarcastic triumph of the mind." Their lusts and physical appetites have given way to a more cerebral form of satisfaction, as they engage in silent contemplation.

The poem continues to explore the detachment of the fathers from both the future and the past: "Neither tomorrow's monstrous tumor nor / The reformation of the past they wish." This detachment highlights their resignation and acceptance of the present moment, devoid of hope or desire for change. Instead, they hold the world "A shrivelled apple in the hand of God," a metaphor for the diminished, fragile state of existence they now perceive.

At night, the fathers "hang their somber flags aloft," engaging in introspective reverie. The "amorous dark" suggests a romantic, albeit somber, engagement with their memories and shared experiences. Through their "common images," they seek solace and understanding, hoping "That sleep may show / Them done with all disasters but the one." This final line implies a desire to be free from all calamities except the ultimate one—death.

"Brief Journey West" is a profound meditation on the aging process, the legacy of past actions, and the inevitable decline of physical and material achievements. Howard Nemerov uses rich, evocative imagery to capture the inner lives of these pioneers, reflecting on their contributions and the changing nature of their desires. The poem invites readers to consider the enduring impacts of their own actions and the universal journey towards acceptance and understanding in the face of mortality.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...