Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Iris" is a vivid and contemplative exploration of the beauty and symbolism of the iris flower, juxtaposed with themes of death and transformation. The poem moves through a series of rich, visual images that capture the essence of the iris in different lights and contexts, creating a complex interplay between life, beauty, and mortality.

The poem opens with the imagery of the iris in full bloom: "Middle of May, when the iris blows, / blue below blue, the bearded patriarchface / on the green flute body of a boy / Poseidon torso of Eros / blue." The reference to May situates the flower in a time of renewal and growth, while the colors and forms evoke both strength and delicacy. The juxtaposition of "bearded patriarchface" with the "green flute body of a boy" suggests a fusion of maturity and youth, stability and fluidity. This duality is further emphasized by the "Poseidon torso of Eros," blending the powerful, ancient god of the sea with the youthful god of love.

The following lines—"sky below sea / day over daybreak violet behind twilight / the May iris / midnight on midday"—create a layered vision of the iris, where various shades of blue and violet merge, symbolizing different times of day and the cyclical nature of time itself. This layering of colors and times suggests the complexity of existence and the interconnectedness of various phases of life.

In the second section, the poem delves deeper into the symbolism of the iris: "Something is over and under this deep blue. / Over and under this movement, etwas / before and after, alguna cosa / blue before blue is it / perhaps / death?" Here, Rukeyser reflects on the transient nature of beauty and life, hinting at the presence of death as a backdrop to the vibrant blue of the iris. The multilingual use of "etwas" (German for "something") and "alguna cosa" (Spanish for "something") emphasizes the universal and timeless nature of this contemplation. The speaker questions if the underlying essence of the iris's blue might be death, though they acknowledge that "death" may not be the right word.

The third section directly confronts the idea of death: "Death is here, death is guarded by swords. / No. By shapes of swords / flicker of green leaves / under all the speaking and crying / shadowing the words the eyes here they all die / racing withering blue evening / my sister death the iris / stands clear in light." The imagery of swords and leaves suggests a protective barrier around the concept of death, which is intertwined with life and communication ("speaking and crying"). The phrase "my sister death the iris" personifies death as an intimate, almost familial presence, while the iris continues to stand resiliently in the light, symbolizing beauty and clarity amidst the inevitability of mortality.

In the fourth section, Rukeyser introduces the imagery of the ocean: "In the water-cave / ferocious needles of teeth / the green morays / in blue water rays / a maleficence ribbon of green the flat look of / eyes staring fatal mouth staring / the rippling potent force / curving into any hole / death finding his way." This section evokes a sense of danger and predation within the natural world, with the green morays and their "ferocious needles of teeth" representing the lurking threat of death. The "rippling potent force" of death is depicted as something that can infiltrate and pervade any space, emphasizing its pervasive nature.

The final section returns to the iris, focusing on its delicate beauty: "Depth of petals, May iris / transparent infinitely deep they are / petal-thin with light behind them / and you, death, / and you / behind them / blue under blue." The transparency and depth of the iris petals symbolize the layers of existence and the unseen presence of death behind the visible beauty. The lines "What I cannot say / in adequate music / something being born / transparency blue of / light standing on light this stalk of / (among mortal petals-and-leaves) / light" suggest a profound, almost ineffable quality to the iris and its symbolism. The idea of "something being born" within the context of light and transparency points to the ongoing cycle of life and the emergence of new forms even in the presence of death.

"Iris" is a rich, multilayered poem that uses the natural beauty of the iris flower to explore deep philosophical themes. Through its vivid imagery and contemplative tone, Rukeyser captures the interplay between life, death, and transformation, ultimately celebrating the enduring and resilient nature of beauty amidst the cycles of existence.

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