Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s poem "Ringling" captures the dynamism, tension, and artistry inherent in a circus performance, employing vivid imagery and metaphor to explore themes of balance, control, and the interplay between chaos and calm. The poem's title, likely referencing the Ringling Brothers Circus, sets the stage for a spectacle of human physicality and grace.

The opening line, "Lattice of his back grows, the dolphin-arching, till / That ripple, that stress, dance on a board on a ball," immediately introduces the reader to the acrobatic prowess of the performer. The "lattice of his back" suggests a muscular structure that is both intricate and strong, evoking the image of a back bending in a fluid, graceful motion reminiscent of a dolphin. This imagery conveys the delicate balance and the immense control required to perform such feats. The mention of "ripple" and "stress" hints at the underlying tension that accompanies this grace, a tension that is ever-present in the performance.

Rukeyser continues to build on this theme of balance and control with "Bracing are planted among the unbalanced seas / Rooted in whirlwind, flanks of a man whose torse / Unknots becoming the face of all control." Here, the performer is depicted as navigating an "unbalanced sea," a metaphor for the chaotic environment of the circus or perhaps life itself. Despite this chaos, the performer remains "rooted in whirlwind," embodying a paradox of stability amidst turmoil. The transformation of his "torse" (torso) into "the face of all control" emphasizes the mastery and composure required to maintain this balance.

The phrase "Trembling past his tornadoes, rouse of storm / Walking upon one point of make and build" further elaborates on the performer’s ability to traverse through internal and external storms, maintaining poise while walking on a singular point. This image is particularly striking, illustrating the delicate equilibrium that is essential to the art of acrobatics.

The poem then shifts focus to another performer: "Black copper acrobat from Ecuador. / Is followed by the blonde and summer one / Fallen in whiteness upon her smooth trapeze." The juxtaposition of the "black copper acrobat" and the "blonde and summer one" introduces a contrast in appearance and perhaps in style. The description of the latter "fallen in whiteness" upon the trapeze evokes a sense of ethereal beauty and lightness. The imagery of whiteness and smoothness conveys purity and elegance, aligning her performance with a different kind of grace.

Rukeyser enhances this contrast with a comparison to art: "Swung to no heavier and softer force / Than Monet’s waterlilies in his light suspended." This line draws a parallel between the trapeze artist's movements and the delicate, floating quality of Monet's waterlilies. The reference to Monet’s art adds a layer of serene beauty to the performance, suggesting a transcendence from the physical to the almost otherworldly.

The final lines of the poem, "Or floating in our joy, or floating in circus air, / The calm eye at the core of the hurricane," encapsulate the essence of the circus experience. The performers, despite the physical demands and potential chaos, exude a sense of calm and joy. This calmness is likened to "the calm eye at the core of the hurricane," a powerful metaphor that captures the paradoxical stillness and control at the center of intense activity and turmoil.

In "Ringling," Muriel Rukeyser masterfully blends vivid imagery with metaphor to explore the themes of balance, control, and the interplay between chaos and calm in the context of a circus performance. The poem celebrates the physical prowess and artistic grace of the performers, while also delving into the deeper human experience of maintaining composure and finding beauty amidst life's inherent turbulence. Through her evocative language and rich symbolism, Rukeyser invites readers to appreciate the artistry and complexity of the circus, as well as the broader human condition it mirrors.

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