Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Measure of Poetry" provides a profound analogy between the natural phenomenon of waves breaking on a shore and the creation and structure of poetry. Through detailed observation and rich metaphor, Nemerov explores the interplay of constant and variable forces that shape both natural and artistic forms, revealing deeper truths about order, chaos, and the transmission of energy.

The poem begins with a meticulous description of the dynamics of waves: "Consider the breaking of waves on a shore. The measure / governing this movement is the product of a number of / forces..." This initial focus on the physical forces at play—tides, winds, underwater topography—sets the stage for a broader reflection on how similar forces influence the creation of poetry. Nemerov emphasizes the consistency and variability inherent in wave movement, likening it to "absolute law consisting with absolute / rage."

Nemerov explains that while the tide is governed by the gravitational pull of the moon, creating a predictable ebb and flow, the actual formation of waves involves a complex interplay of forces: "It is the power, not the material, / which is transmitted." This observation highlights the essence of movement and change, where the energy generated far from the shore ultimately shapes the wave that crashes upon it.

The transformation of this energy as the wave approaches the shore—rising, curling, and eventually breaking—serves as a powerful metaphor for the process of poetic creation. The wave's form and behavior, influenced by the slope of the shore and the wind, parallels how the measure of poetry begins "far from the particular / conformation of the poem, far out in the sea of tradition and / the mind."

Nemerov draws a direct analogy between the natural elements and the components of poetry: "The measure of poetry, too, begins far from the particular / conformation of the poem... it is the power, not / the material, which is transmitted." This comparison underscores the idea that the rhythm and form of a poem, like the energy of a wave, originate from abstract, distant impulses that gain shape and substance upon encountering the specific "shore" of the poem's content and structure.

The poet further elaborates that this initial, rhythmic impulse in poetry is akin to a "tidal, surging element" that dictates the general shape of the poem: "The rise of the shore shapes the wave. The objects which / are to appear in the poem... introduce into that / rhythm a new character, somewhat obstinate, angular, critical." Here, Nemerov highlights how the interplay between rhythm (the abstract measure) and content (the concrete elements) shapes the final form of the poem.

In a technical sense, Nemerov equates vowels to the generative force of the waves—fluid and dynamic—while consonants represent the obstacles and structures that give shape to this force: "The tidal impulse from far away, the wind's / generation of force without content, these are the vowels; the / consonants are rock and reed and sand..." This metaphor beautifully captures how the fluidity of sound interacts with the rigidity of form to create the harmonious complexity of poetry.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the balance between order and chaos: "The laws of this measure are simple and large, so that in the / scope of their generality room may remain for moments of / freedom, moments of chaos..." Nemerov acknowledges that within the structured framework of poetic form, there is space for spontaneity and unpredictability, much like the iridescences and shapes formed by waves under varying conditions.

In "Measure of Poetry," Nemerov masterfully intertwines the natural and the artistic, using the breaking of waves as a metaphor to explore the forces that shape poetry. Through this analogy, he reveals the dynamic interplay of rhythm, form, and content, illustrating how the energy of creation, whether in nature or art, is a complex and beautiful process governed by both order and chaos.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...