Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Lost Romans" meditates on the lost voices of ancient Rome, especially those of the young rebels, slaves, and marginalized individuals who resisted the imperial power through their art and poetry. The poem is a poignant reflection on the enduring power of these forgotten voices and the urgent need to rediscover and reconnect with them.

The poem opens with a questioning tone: "Where are they, not those young men, not those / young women / Who walked among the bullet-headed Romans with their / roads, their symmetry, their iron rule—." This sets up a dichotomy between the oppressive order of Roman rule and the vibrant, youthful resistance against it. The "bullet-headed Romans" symbolize the rigid, militaristic nature of the empire, characterized by its "roads, symmetry, [and] iron rule." The roads, emblematic of Roman engineering prowess, also represent the reach and control of the empire, suggesting a structured, oppressive environment that the young Romans navigated.

Rukeyser then evokes the ultimate fate of these young rebels: "We know the dust and bones they are gone to, those / young Romans / Who stood against the bitter imperial, their young / green life with its poems—." Here, she acknowledges the mortality and the passage of time that has reduced these vibrant lives to "dust and bones." Yet, she emphasizes their resistance through "poems," a testament to their defiance and creativity. The phrase "young green life" contrasts with the harshness of the empire, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the flourishing of artistic expression even in adverse conditions.

The poem continues with a yearning for the lost cultural heritage: "Where are the poems made music against the purple / Setting their own purple up for a living sign, / Bright fire of some forgotten future against empire, / Their poems in the beautiful Roman tongue / Sex-songs, love-poems, freedom-songs?" The "purple" refers to the imperial power, with its connotations of wealth and authority, yet the young Romans set their own "purple" as a "living sign" of resistance. The "bright fire" metaphorically represents their rebellious spirit and the hope for a future free from oppression. The mention of "sex-songs, love-poems, freedom-songs" broadens the scope of their artistic endeavors, highlighting the diverse expressions of their resistance.

Rukeyser's invocation of various oppressed groups adds depth to the poem: "Not only the young, but the old and in chains, / The slaves in their singing, the fierce northern / gentle blond rhythms, / The Judean cantillations, lullabies of Carthage, / Gaul with her cries, all the young Roman rebels." This inclusion of different cultures and ages under Roman rule emphasizes the universal nature of resistance and the multifaceted expressions of subjugation and rebellion. The "slaves in their singing" and the specific regional references to Judea, Carthage, and Gaul underscore the cultural diversity and the widespread impact of Roman imperialism.

The poem's climax is a plea for rediscovery: "Where are their songs? Who will unlock them, / Who will find them for us, in some undiscovered / painted cave / For we need you, sisters, far brothers, poems / of our lost Rome." The rhetorical questions convey a deep sense of loss and the urgency to recover these forgotten voices. The "undiscovered painted cave" serves as a metaphor for the hidden and overlooked aspects of history, suggesting that these voices are waiting to be found and heard again. The plea "we need you" emphasizes the relevance of these ancient voices to contemporary struggles, suggesting that their messages of resistance and hope can inspire and guide present and future generations.

In "Lost Romans," Muriel Rukeyser creates a powerful dialogue between the past and the present, urging us to seek out and reconnect with the lost voices of those who resisted oppression through their art. The poem's evocative imagery and heartfelt plea underscore the enduring importance of cultural heritage and the timeless nature of the struggle for freedom and expression. Through her words, Rukeyser reminds us that the voices of the past are not truly lost but are waiting to be rediscovered, resonating with the eternal human quest for justice and creativity.

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