Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Popham of the New Song: 5; for R.P. Blackmur" is a poem by Norman Dubie, first published in his 1985 collection "The Volcano." The poem is written in memory of the literary critic and poet R.P. Blackmur.

Explanation:

The poem describes a dream-like journey through a strange and surreal landscape, guided by the figure of Popham. The narrator of the poem follows Popham through a variety of landscapes, including a garden, a city, and a desert. Along the way, they encounter bizarre and fantastical creatures, including a "weary goat" and a "she-wolf." The poem ends with the narrator reaching a "silver city" and encountering a mysterious figure who may be a representation of Blackmur.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid, surreal imagery, including the "tiger lilies" and "strange grapes" of the garden, and the "satin streets" and "drunken cranes" of the city.
• Personification: Popham is personified as a guide or mentor figure, leading the narrator through the strange landscapes of the poem.
• Symbolism: The strange creatures and landscapes of the poem can be seen as symbolic of the journey of life and death, with the narrator ultimately reaching a kind of afterlife in the "silver city."

Conclusion:

"Popham of the New Song: 5; for R.P. Blackmur" is a surreal and haunting poem that explores themes of life, death, and the strange landscapes of the mind. Dubie's use of vivid imagery and surrealism creates a dream-like atmosphere that draws the reader in and makes the poem a memorable and powerful experience.

Poem Snippet:

"The garden was filled with tiger lilies

And the faintest presence of jasmine.

Popham walked through the first door

That rose up out of the heavy mist."