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'The Poet' by Delmore Schwartz


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1954The riches of the poet are equal to his poetryHis power is his left handIt is idle weak and precious
His poverty is his wealth, a wealth which may destroy himlike Midas Because it is that laziness which is a form of impatienceAnd this he may be destroyed by the gold of the lightwhich never was
On land or sea.
He may be drunken to death, draining the casks of excess
That extreme form of success.
He may suffer Narcissus' destiny
Unable to live except with the image which is infatuation
Love, blind, adoring, overflowing
Unable to respond to anything which does not bring lovequickly or immediately....The poet must be innocent and ignorant
But he cannot be innocent since stupidity is not his strongpoint
Therefore Cocteau said, "What would I not give
To have the poems of my youth withdrawn fromexistence?
I would give to Satan my immortal soul."
This metaphor is wrong, for it is his immortal soul whichhe wished to redeem,
Lifting it and sifting it, free and white, from the actuality ofyouth's banality, vulgarity,pomp and affectation of his earlyworks of poetry.So too in the same way a Famous American PoetWhen fame at last had come to him sought out the fifty copies
of his first book of poems which had been privately printedby himself at his own expense.
He succeeded in securing 48 of the 50 copies, burned themAnd learned then how the last copies were extant,As the law of the land required, stashed away in the national capital,
at the Library of Congress.
Therefore he went to Washington, therefore he took out the last two
copies
Placed them in his pocket, planned to departOnly to be halted and apprehended. Since he was the author,
Since they were his books and his property he was reproached
But forgiven. But the two copies were taken away from himThus setting a national precedent.For neither amnesty nor forgiveness is bestowed upon poets, poetry and poems,
For William James, the lovable genius of Harvardspoke the terrifying truth: "Your friends may forget, Godmay forgive you, But the brain cells recordyour acts for the rest of eternity."
What a terrifying thing to say!
This is the endless doom, without remedy, of poetry.
This is also the joy everlasting of poetry.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Poet by Delmore Schwartz: A Literary Exploration

Delmore Schwartz's "The Poet" is a complex and multifaceted poem that delves deep into the psyche of the poet and the nature of artistic creation. Through its various images, metaphors, and allusions, the poem sheds light on the poet's struggle to reconcile the demands of the world with the demands of his craft, and to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems indifferent to his art.

At its core, "The Poet" is a meditation on the power and limitations of language. The poet, in his quest to capture the essence of the world and his own experiences, must confront the inadequacy of words to convey the fullness of human experience. As the poem's opening lines suggest, the poet is a kind of magician who seeks to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary:

In the world of words, the imagination is one of
The forces of nature.

The poet's imagination is his greatest tool, but it is also a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it allows him to see the world in new and unexpected ways, to discover meaning in the mundane, and to create beauty out of nothing. On the other hand, it can lead him astray, blinding him to the realities of the world and isolating him from the very people he seeks to connect with through his art:

The poet is a liar
Who always speaks the truth.

This paradoxical statement captures the tension at the heart of the poem. The poet, despite his claims to truth-telling, is ultimately a purveyor of illusions. He creates worlds out of words that are not necessarily reflective of the world as it actually exists. And yet, in doing so, he often uncovers truths that are hidden beneath the surface of things.

Throughout "The Poet," Schwartz employs a range of metaphors and allusions to explore the nature of poetic creation. One of the key images in the poem is that of the magician, which suggests that the poet is a kind of conjurer who uses language to create illusions:

The poet is a magician
Who performs his tricks
In our minds.

This image is reinforced by the poem's use of allusions to classical mythology, particularly the figure of Orpheus. Like Orpheus, the poet is a kind of musical genius who uses his art to transcend the ordinary and reach for the divine:

The poet is Orpheus,
Singing to the stones,
In the dark places of the earth.

At the same time, however, the allusions to Orpheus also highlight the tragic dimension of the poet's art. Like Orpheus, the poet is a figure who is doomed to suffer for his art. His sensitivity to the world and his desire to capture its beauty in words often leave him vulnerable to the pain and suffering of the world:

The poet suffers
The pain of the world
And the pain of words.

In this way, "The Poet" is a deeply ambivalent poem that both celebrates and laments the power of poetry. It recognizes the ability of language to transform the world and illuminate hidden truths, but it also acknowledges the limitations of words to capture the fullness of human experience.

Another key theme that runs throughout the poem is the tension between the poet's desire for solitude and his need for connection. On the one hand, the poet is a solitary figure who must retreat from the world in order to create. As the poem notes:

The poet must seek
Solitude, silence, and darkness,
To hear the voice of the muse.

At the same time, however, the poet also recognizes the importance of reaching out to others through his art. He understands that his poems are not merely expressions of his own individual experience, but are also vehicles for connecting with others and building a sense of community:

The poet is a bridge
Between the worlds of the living and the dead,
The past and the future,
The self and the other.

This tension between solitude and connection is reflected in the poem's form, which alternates between short, aphoristic lines and longer, more discursive passages. This creates a sense of rhythmic tension that mirrors the poet's own struggle to balance his desire for isolation with his need for human connection.

In conclusion, "The Poet" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of artistic creation and the power of language to illuminate the world. Through its rich imagery, evocative language, and complex themes, the poem captures the ambivalence and complexity of the poet's role in society, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems indifferent to the poet's art. It is a testament to Schwartz's genius as a poet that he was able to create such a powerful and resonant work, and it stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and transform us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poet: A Masterpiece of Delmore Schwartz

Delmore Schwartz, an American poet, novelist, and short story writer, is known for his unique style of writing that blends the modernist and traditionalist elements. His works are characterized by their introspective and psychological nature, exploring the complexities of human emotions and experiences. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Poet," which is a masterpiece of modern poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem "The Poet" is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. It is a deeply personal and introspective piece that explores the poet's own struggles and doubts about his craft. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct theme and tone.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the poet questioning the value and purpose of poetry. He begins by stating that "the poet is the priest of the invisible," suggesting that poetry is a spiritual and transcendent art form. However, he quickly undermines this idea by asking, "What is poetry? Is it a mosaic / Of coloured stones which curiously are wrought / Into a pattern?" Here, the poet questions whether poetry is simply a decorative art form, devoid of any real meaning or substance.

The second stanza delves deeper into the poet's own struggles with his craft. He describes himself as a "lost man in a lost world," suggesting that he feels disconnected from society and his own sense of purpose. He goes on to say that "the poet must be humble," acknowledging that his role is not to be a grandiose figure but rather a servant to his art. He also admits to feeling a sense of isolation and loneliness, stating that "the poet is alone / Even in the presence of the multitude."

The final stanza is perhaps the most powerful and poignant of the poem. Here, the poet reflects on the transformative power of poetry and the role of the poet in society. He states that "the poet is necessary," suggesting that poetry has a vital role to play in the world. He goes on to say that "the poet is the one who makes / Something out of nothing," highlighting the creative and imaginative nature of poetry. Finally, he concludes by stating that "the poet is the one who is able / To keep the world in motion." Here, the poet suggests that poetry has the power to inspire and motivate people, to keep them moving forward in life.

Overall, "The Poet" is a deeply introspective and personal poem that explores the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. It is a powerful reflection on the transformative power of art and the struggles that artists face in pursuing their craft. Through his use of vivid imagery and introspective language, Delmore Schwartz has created a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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