Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s “Fifth Elegy: A Turning Wind” is a contemplative exploration of the ever-changing nature of life, identity, and the landscape of America. Through vivid and powerful imagery, Rukeyser reflects on the journeys of individuals and the nation, drawing parallels between personal experiences and broader societal shifts.

The poem begins by establishing a sense of perpetual motion, describing the "midway travels of migrant fanatics" who live a life of constant movement. The imagery of people rising with the dawn and moving as long as there is light emphasizes the relentless pursuit of something beyond their current state. This journey, filled with exhaustion and the demands of the land, symbolizes the human condition—always striving, always seeking.

Rukeyser asserts that the shape of the country is not a fixed entity but one that changes with the actions and movements of its people. This fluidity is mirrored in the poem's structure, which flows seamlessly between observations of the landscape and reflections on human endeavors. The shape of the country and even the skeletons of its inhabitants are described as dependent on "the choices of action," highlighting the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of existence.

The poet contrasts the fixed, ancient structures with the new, flexible forms of modern architecture, suggesting that the present is shaped by both the needs of the moment and the legacies of the past. The mention of "ancestors" and their influence on the current structure of society underscores the weight of history and tradition in shaping contemporary life.

Rukeyser then delves into various forms of existence, from the "fan at freedom" designed to catch food to the "sedentary" with radial symmetry, and those seeking movement with bilateral symmetry. This biological imagery reinforces the idea that form follows function, whether in nature or human society. The poem acknowledges the years of hardship and struggle, the nightwalking in stranger cities, and the recurrent rooms furnished only with nightmares, painting a vivid picture of the refugee experience and the search for belonging.

The poem's narrative expands to encompass the broader American landscape, with its diverse cities and landmarks. Rukeyser mentions places like Grabtown, Cockade Alley, and Skid Row, each representing different facets of the nation's identity and the struggles of its people. The imagery of rivers, such as the flooded James and the Cape Fear River, along with the "white wooden houses of village squares," evokes a sense of place and history, grounding the poem in the physical reality of America.

Rukeyser addresses the theme of resilience and the enduring spirit of the people, particularly the mothers and children. The mothers endure, their hidden faces symbolizing the quiet strength and sacrifice that sustain the community. The children, with their games and imaginations, represent hope and the future, even as they face the harsh realities of displacement and hardship.

The poem's conclusion is a powerful meditation on growth, transformation, and the promise of renewal. Rukeyser envisions a landscape where the natural elements—mountains, rivers, and forests—undergo cycles of destruction and regeneration. The "thin poor whiteness raining on the ground" and the "thunderbirds of dream" suggest a landscape both devastated and full of potential. The "charts of the moving constellations" symbolize the guidance and direction needed to navigate this tumultuous world.

The final lines of the poem return to the theme of hope and the possibility of finding rest and reconciliation. The image of "the dead lake rises in light" and "the shape is organized in travelling space" speaks to the possibility of finding meaning and connection in the midst of chaos. The hope of travel, the desire to find a place of rest and triumph, and the longing to lie down together face to face encapsulate the poem's ultimate message of enduring hope and the quest for unity and peace.

In "Fifth Elegy: A Turning Wind," Muriel Rukeyser masterfully weaves together personal and collective narratives, creating a rich tapestry that reflects the complexity of the human experience. The poem is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the ever-present possibility of renewal and transformation in the face of adversity.

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