Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "It Is There" eloquently captures the essence of peace as a profound and enduring presence within human society, despite the constant tension and challenges that surround it. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection, Rukeyser explores how peace manifests in various forms, from the natural world to the daily lives of individuals, emphasizing the importance of resistance and resilience in maintaining it.

The poem opens with a confident affirmation: "Yes, it is there, the city full of music," immediately situating the reader in a vibrant urban setting filled with the sounds of life—flute music, children’s voices, poets, and an unknown bird's call. This auditory imagery conveys a sense of harmony and cultural richness, suggesting that peace is intertwined with the everyday sounds that define a community.

Rukeyser expands this vision of peace to include both natural and human elements: "The bells of peace. / Essential peace, it sounds across the water / In the long parks where the lovers are walking, / Along the lake with its island and pagoda, / And a boy learning to fish. His father threads the line." Here, peace is depicted as a pervasive force that touches various aspects of life, from serene natural settings to intimate human interactions. The act of a father teaching his son to fish symbolizes the transmission of knowledge and tradition, further grounding the concept of peace in continuity and care.

The repetition of "Essential peace, it sounds and it stills. Cockcrow." reinforces the idea that peace is both a calming and a persistent presence. The cockcrow, a symbol of routine and the start of a new day, suggests that peace is a constant, renewing force in the cycle of life.

Rukeyser then poses a crucial question: "On what does it depend, this music, the children’s games? / A long tradition of rest? Meditation? What peace is so profound / That it can reach all habitants, all children, / The eyes at worship, the shattered in hospitals? / All voyagers?" This inquiry highlights the complexity of achieving and maintaining peace, acknowledging that it must encompass all members of society, including those in places of worship, hospitals, and those on journeys.

The answer, Rukeyser suggests, lies in a combination of meditation and resistance: "Meditation, yes; but within a tension / Of long resistance to all invasion, all seduction of hate." This line emphasizes that peace is not passive but requires active resistance against forces that threaten it. The "tension of long resistance" implies a continuous effort to uphold peace despite external pressures.

Further, Rukeyser points to the importance of adaptability and responsibility: "Generations of holding to resistance; and within this resistance / Fluid change that can respond, that can show the children / A long future of finding, of responsibility; change within / Change and tension of sharing consciousness." This passage underscores the need for a dynamic approach to peace, one that evolves with changing circumstances and fosters a sense of shared responsibility and consciousness across generations and communities.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of enduring peace: "With unchanging cockcrow and unchanging endurance / Under the / skies of war." Despite the backdrop of conflict and war, the consistent presence of the cockcrow and the steadfast endurance of the people symbolize the resilience and permanence of peace.

"It Is There" by Muriel Rukeyser is a profound meditation on the nature of peace, emphasizing its pervasive presence and the continuous effort required to maintain it. Through her use of vivid imagery and reflective inquiry, Rukeyser captures the essence of peace as a dynamic, enduring force that thrives on resistance, adaptability, and shared human experience.

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