Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Puzzle," Howard Nemerov intricately weaves a scene of two children assembling a jigsaw puzzle into a profound meditation on perception, order, and the reconstruction of the world. Through the vivid imagery of the children piecing together iconic symbols of ancient Egypt, the poem explores themes of discovery, creativity, and the interplay between chaos and order.

The poem opens with a quiet yet powerful image: "Two children bow their heads / Over the ruins of what is yet to be." This line introduces a dual perspective—the immediate, physical act of assembling a puzzle and the broader, philosophical notion of creating meaning from fragments. The "ruins of what is yet to be" suggests potential and possibility, encapsulating the idea that the children are actively engaging in an act of creation, envisioning a completed whole from scattered parts.

Nemerov brings the ancient world into focus with "Sun, sky, and sand, the Pyramids, the Sphinx." These elements evoke a timeless and mythic landscape, rich with historical and cultural significance. The puzzle pieces symbolize both the tangible remnants of a bygone era and the abstract concept of reconstructing knowledge and history.

The children's meticulous process is described in detail: "Under their fingers, under their eyes, / Before their minds, enclaves of order / Begin to appear amid the heaped debris." This passage highlights the sensory engagement and cognitive effort involved in piecing the puzzle together. The "enclaves of order" emerging from the "heaped debris" metaphorically represent how understanding and meaning are derived from chaos and fragmentation.

As the children "go steadily sorting and rejecting, / Turning about and matching, finding the fit / By image, color, shape, or all at once," Nemerov emphasizes the intricate and methodical nature of their task. This process of selection and combination mirrors the broader human endeavor of making sense of the world, suggesting that meaning is constructed through careful observation and integration of diverse elements.

The climactic moment arrives when "the Sphinx's head falls into place / Completing the vision of a ruined world." This completion not only signifies the end of the puzzle assembly but also symbolizes the reconstruction of a coherent narrative or understanding from disjointed pieces. The "crackling glaze of forms" and "seams and fissures" highlight the imperfections and complexities inherent in any reconstruction, acknowledging that the assembled whole is a reflection of both its parts and the process of assembly.

Nemerov deepens the philosophical reflection with "The seams and fissures of a kind of brain / Thinking what properties must go together / To make, accordant with mosaic law, / The real world match the mindful one." Here, the puzzle becomes a metaphor for the human mind, which constantly seeks to align external reality with internal perception. The "mosaic law" implies an underlying principle of harmony and coherence that governs this alignment.

The poem concludes with the children bowing their heads in a gesture of reverence and contemplation, suggesting both the humility and the awe that accompany the act of creation and discovery. Through their engagement with the puzzle, the children not only recreate a physical image but also participate in a deeper intellectual and imaginative process.

"Puzzle" by Howard Nemerov elegantly captures the intersection of play and philosophy, using the simple act of assembling a puzzle to explore profound themes of order, perception, and the human quest for understanding. The poem's rich imagery and thoughtful reflections invite readers to consider the complexities of reconstructing meaning from fragments and the intricate dance between chaos and order that shapes our perception of the world.

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