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DIVINING WATER, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Divining Water" is a vivid depiction of an age-old practice of finding water using a divining rod, woven together with themes of belief, connection, and the interplay between the natural and the mystical. Through rich, evocative imagery and a contemplative tone, Rukeyser explores the convergence of tradition, intuition, and the profound mysteries hidden beneath the surface of the earth and human consciousness.

The poem begins by setting a scene of communal observation: "We stood around the raw new-planted garden / Parables green and yellow in the ground." This imagery establishes the garden as a symbol of potential and growth, with "parables" suggesting that the plants themselves hold deeper meanings and stories. The garden is a place of beginnings, both literal and metaphorical.

Rukeyser introduces the figure of the old man, a diviner: "The old man with his branch paced the diagonal / The rare Negro girl accepted a forked branch / And paced her line." The divining rods, made from branches, are tools of ancient wisdom, and the act of divining is presented as a ritualistic dance. The participation of "the rare Negro girl" highlights the inclusivity and continuity of this tradition, bridging generations and cultures.

The poem captures the collective anticipation: "Everything was there in the moment there / Random and light in the dance on young grass flaming up." The sense of presence is palpable, with the moment described as "random and light," yet filled with significance. The "young grass flaming up" symbolizes new life and energy, mirroring the tension and excitement of the divining process.

Rukeyser then focuses on the pivotal moment of discovery: "While the old man held his branch and walked toward water / Walked to that moment where the branch dives down." This act is portrayed as both mystical and physical, with the branch acting as a conduit between the diviner and the hidden water. The imagery of the branch diving down is powerful, suggesting a direct connection to the earth's hidden depths.

The poem reflects on the duality of belief and disbelief: "Everything being here in the moment here / Belief and disbelief the dry light on the grass / And the old man with lit eyes." The juxtaposition of belief and disbelief underscores the tension between faith and skepticism, a central theme in the practice of divining. The "dry light on the grass" contrasts with the anticipated discovery of water, highlighting the paradox of seeking life in seemingly barren places.

The culmination of the divining act is described with a sense of awe and revelation: "The man drove true the moment was all water / And time the branch drove and the hand of man / It shines awake it glitters on the grass." The successful finding of water transforms the moment, making it "all water," a symbol of life and renewal. The image of water glittering on the grass captures the beauty and wonder of the discovery, elevating the mundane to the extraordinary.

Rukeyser concludes with a reflection on the relationship between man and nature: "Now waters divine man we all know what he was." This line suggests a reversal, where the discovery of water also reveals something essential about the diviner himself. The act of divining becomes a metaphor for self-discovery and the interconnectedness of all life.

In "Divining Water," Muriel Rukeyser masterfully intertwines the ancient practice of water divining with themes of belief, tradition, and the hidden depths of existence. Through her evocative language and rich imagery, Rukeyser invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of the natural world and the profound connections that lie beneath the surface of our everyday experiences. The poem celebrates the continuity of human knowledge and intuition, capturing the timeless dance between humanity and the elemental forces that sustain life.


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