'To Brooklyn Bridge' by Hart Crane

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How many dawns, chill from his rippling rest
The seagull's wings shall dip and pivot him,
Shedding white rings of tumult, building high
Over the chained bay waters Liberty--Then, with inviolate curve, forsake our eyes
As apparitional as sails that cross
Some page of figures to be filed away;
--Till elevators drop us from our day . . .I think of cinemas, panoramic sleights
With multitudes bent toward some flashing scene
Never disclosed, but hastened to again,
Foretold to other eyes on the same screen;And Thee, across the harbor, silver-paced
As though the sun took step of thee, yet left
Some motion ever unspent in thy stride,--
Implicitly thy freedom staying thee!Out of some subway scuttle, cell or loft
A bedlamite speeds to thy parapets,
Tilting there momently, shrill shirt ballooning,
A jest falls from the speechless caravan.Down Wall, from girder into street noon leaks,
A rip-tooth of the sky's acetylene;
All afternoon the cloud-flown derricks turn . . .
Thy cables breathe the North Atlantic still.And obscure as that heaven of the Jews,
Thy guerdon . . . Accolade thou dost bestow
Of anonymity time cannot raise:
Vibrant reprieve and pardon thou dost show.O harp and altar, of the fury fused,
(How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!)
Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge,
Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry,--Again the traffic lights that skim thy swift
Unfractioned idiom, immaculate sigh of stars,
Beading thy path--condense eternity:
And we have seen night lifted in thine arms.Under thy shadow by the piers I waited;
Only in darkness is thy shadow clear.
The City's fiery parcels all undone,
Already snow submerges an iron year . . .O Sleepless as the river under thee,
Vaulting the sea, the prairies' dreaming sod,
Unto us lowliest sometime sweep, descend
And of the curveship lend a myth to God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Brooklyn Bridge: A Study in Modernist Poetry

Hart Crane's "To Brooklyn Bridge" is one of the most celebrated poems of the modernist era. Written in 1930, the poem is a paean to the Brooklyn Bridge, a symbol of the modernity and progress of New York City. But the poem is more than just an ode to a bridge; it is a meditation on the nature of human experience, the relationship between the individual and the collective, and the power of art to transcend the limitations of time and space.

The Poem

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which is composed of a series of short, imagistic and often fragmented lines. The first section is devoted to a description of the bridge itself, its physical structure and its role as a link between the two sides of the East River. The second section shifts to a more abstract meditation on the nature of human experience, using the bridge as a metaphor for the journey of the self. The final section culminates in a vision of the bridge as a work of art, a symbol of the human capacity for beauty and transcendence.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in free verse, without a discernible rhyme scheme or meter. The lines are short and often fragmented, with irregular spacing and punctuation. This fragmentation is intentional, reflecting the modernist aesthetic of the time, which sought to break down traditional forms and structures in order to reflect the fragmentation and dislocation of modern life.

The poem is also characterized by its use of imagery and metaphor. Crane uses the physical structure of the bridge as a metaphor for the journey of the self, and the bridge itself becomes a symbol of the human capacity for transcendence. The poem is full of vivid and often surrealistic images, such as the "clashing teeth and impacted thunder" of the bridge's cables, and the "swinging incense of the sea" that rises from the river.

The Bridge as Metaphor

At its core, "To Brooklyn Bridge" is a meditation on the nature of human experience, and the relationship between the individual and the collective. The bridge, as a physical structure that spans the East River, becomes a powerful metaphor for the journey of the self, and the potential for transcendence that lies within each human being.

In the second section of the poem, Crane writes:

"O harp and altar, of the fury fused,
(How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!)
Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge,
Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry-"

Here, the bridge is transformed into a symbol of the human capacity for spiritual transcendence, and the potential for a connection between the individual and the divine. The "fury fused" and "choiring strings" suggest a sense of power and energy that transcends the limits of the physical world, while the "prophet's pledge" and "prayer of pariah" suggest a sense of spiritual longing and yearning that transcends the boundaries of time and space.

The Power of Art

In the final section of the poem, Crane turns his attention to the bridge as a work of art, a symbol of the human capacity for beauty and transcendence. He writes:

"O Sleepless as the river under thee,
Vaulting the sea, the prairies' dreaming sod,
Unto us lowliest sometime sweep, descend
And of the curveship lend a myth to God."

Here, the bridge becomes a symbol of the human capacity for creativity and imagination, and the potential for art to transcend the limitations of time and space. The "curveship" of the bridge suggests a sense of grace and beauty that transcends the physical world, while the "myth to God" suggests a sense of spiritual transcendence that is inherent in all great works of art.

Conclusion

"To Brooklyn Bridge" is a powerful meditation on the nature of human experience, the relationship between the individual and the collective, and the power of art to transcend the limitations of time and space. Through its use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem transforms the physical structure of the Brooklyn Bridge into a symbol of the human capacity for transcendence, and the potential for a connection between the individual and the divine. It is a testament to the power of modernist poetry, and a classic of the genre.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Brooklyn Bridge: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry

Hart Crane's Poetry To Brooklyn Bridge is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the essence of the American experience in the early 20th century. Written in 1930, the poem is a celebration of the Brooklyn Bridge, an iconic symbol of American engineering and progress. But it is also much more than that. It is a meditation on the human condition, on the search for meaning and purpose in a world that seems to be constantly changing.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the Brooklyn Bridge. The first part is a description of the bridge itself, its physical structure and its place in the landscape of New York City. Crane's language is rich and evocative, full of vivid images that bring the bridge to life. He describes the "cabled grip of the earth" that holds the bridge in place, the "tide-flung towers" that rise up from the water, and the "swinging chains" that connect them. He also captures the sense of movement and energy that the bridge embodies, describing it as a "web of motion" that "sways and sings" in the wind.

The second part of the poem is more introspective, as Crane reflects on the meaning of the bridge and its place in the human experience. He asks, "What is the soul of this granite enterprise?" and wonders whether the bridge is simply a symbol of human progress or something deeper and more profound. He suggests that the bridge represents a kind of spiritual quest, a search for meaning and purpose that is at the heart of the human experience. He writes, "O harp and altar, of the fury fused, / (How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!) / Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge, / Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry--"

The third and final part of the poem is a kind of hymn to the bridge, a celebration of its beauty and power. Crane describes the bridge as a "cathedral of light" that "floats above the houses like a cloud." He marvels at the way it seems to defy gravity, "suspended in its own white night." He also suggests that the bridge is a kind of gateway to a new world, a world of possibility and hope. He writes, "Upward, angel, glance / And see the lighted cross-tree limbs aspire / The vast leeward limbs of power."

One of the most striking things about Poetry To Brooklyn Bridge is its use of language. Crane's poetry is highly experimental, full of unusual syntax, obscure references, and complex metaphors. He draws on a wide range of literary and cultural traditions, from the Bible to Greek mythology to modernist art and literature. His language is often dense and difficult, but it is also incredibly beautiful and powerful. He creates a sense of awe and wonder that is rare in modern poetry.

Another important aspect of the poem is its sense of place. Crane was deeply connected to New York City, and he saw the Brooklyn Bridge as a symbol of the city's energy and vitality. He captures the spirit of the city in his poetry, with its bustling streets, towering skyscrapers, and diverse population. He also suggests that the city is a kind of crucible, a place where people come to test themselves and find their place in the world. He writes, "And from the nosed turret on the reef of space / Scorning the glare of helms and lamps unrent, / A million-fissured web lashed to the race / Of heaven, reels out its meshed infinity."

In conclusion, Poetry To Brooklyn Bridge is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that captures the spirit of the American experience in the early 20th century. It is a celebration of the Brooklyn Bridge, but it is also much more than that. It is a meditation on the human condition, on the search for meaning and purpose in a world that seems to be constantly changing. Crane's language is rich and evocative, full of vivid images that bring the bridge to life. His poetry is highly experimental, drawing on a wide range of literary and cultural traditions. But it is also incredibly beautiful and powerful, creating a sense of awe and wonder that is rare in modern poetry.

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