'Still' by A.R. Ammons
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I said I will find what is lowly
and put the roots of my identity
down there:
each day I'll wake up
and find the lowly nearby,
a handy focus and reminder,
a ready measure of my significance,
the voice by which I would be heard,
the wills, the kinds of selfishness
I could
freely adopt as my own:but though I have looked everywhere,
I can find nothing
to give myself to:
everything ismagnificent with existence, is insurfeit of glory:
nothing is diminished,
nothing has been diminished for me:I said what is more lowly than the grass:
ah, underneath,
a ground-crust of dry-burnt moss:
I looked at it closely
and said this can be my habitat: but
nestling in I
found
below the brown exterior
green mechanisms beyond the intellect
awaiting resurrection in rain: so I got upand ran saying there is nothing lowly in the universe:
I found a beggar:
he had stumps for legs: nobody was paying
him any attention: everybody went on by:
I nestled in and found his life:
there, love shook his body like a devastation:
I said
though I have looked everywhere
I can find nothing lowly
in the universe:I whirled though transfigurations up and down,
transfigurations of size and shape and place:at one sudden point came still,
stood in wonder:
moss, beggar, weed, tick, pine, self, magnificent
with being!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpreting the Depth of A.R. Ammons' Poetry, Still
There are some poems that defy easy interpretation, and A.R. Ammons' Still is one such piece of literature. Ammons is known for his complicated, multi-layered poetry, and Still is no exception. At its core, Still is a meditation on the nature of time, mortality, and the fleetingness of life. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the complex themes and symbols in Still, and delve deep into the poetic techniques that make it such a masterpiece of modern poetry.
The Poem Structure
Before we get started with a detailed analysis of the poem, let's first take a look at its structure. Still consists of eighteen stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter. The lack of a strict form allows Ammons to experiment with the flow of his words and ideas, and gives the poem a sense of organic movement.
The poem starts with a simple, declarative statement: "I said I will find what is lowly and put the roots of my identity down there." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is marked by a sense of introspection and exploration. The speaker is searching for something fundamental, something that will ground him in the world and in his own identity.
The Quest for Identity
Throughout the poem, the speaker struggles to define his own identity. He is searching for something that will give him a sense of purpose and belonging in the world. In the second stanza, he asks, "What could be more humble than to be completely absorbed in the objects of one's attention?" Here, the speaker suggests that true humility comes from being fully present in the world around us. He seeks to find his place in the world not by asserting his own importance, but by immersing himself in the humble, everyday details of life.
The speaker's quest for identity is also tied to his awareness of mortality. In the fourth stanza, he writes, "When I look / beneath the surface I see myself / standing on a deeper, more fragile, hidden / level; there is no need to hide." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that there is more to him than what meets the eye. He is standing on a deeper, more fragile level, one that is vulnerable to the ravages of time and the inevitability of death. Yet he also recognizes that there is no need to hide this vulnerability, that it is a fundamental part of his identity.
The Nature of Time
One of the central themes of Still is the nature of time. Ammons explores the way that time shapes our lives, and the inevitability of change and loss. The speaker is acutely aware of the fleetingness of life, and he seeks to find meaning in the face of this impermanence.
In the ninth stanza, the speaker writes, "In the dark / I rest, unready for the light which dawns / day after day, eager to be shared." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the cyclical nature of time. Each day brings a new dawn, a new beginning, yet this is tempered by the knowledge that each day also brings us one step closer to the end of our lives. The speaker is unready for the light because he knows that it brings with it the burden of mortality.
The theme of time is also present in the imagery that Ammons uses throughout the poem. In the tenth stanza, he writes, "The blue / of the sky is one of the things / that totally enslaves me." Here, the blue of the sky is presented as something that is both beautiful and overwhelming. It is a reminder of the vastness of the world, and of the way that time stretches out endlessly before us.
The Use of Symbolism
Ammons is known for his use of complex, multi-layered symbolism, and Still is no exception. Throughout the poem, he uses a variety of symbols to explore the themes of identity, mortality, and time.
One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of water. In the third stanza, the speaker writes, "I move by the / light of my own / body: the world is a pool / where light is the ladder." Here, the world is presented as a pool of water, with light serving as a ladder that allows the speaker to move through it. This image is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting the fluidity of life and the way that we are all ultimately subject to the whims of time.
Another potent symbol that is used throughout the poem is the image of the tree. In the seventh stanza, the speaker writes, "I plant / cypress trees, one / for myself, one for my best friend." Here, the cypress tree serves as a symbol of growth and renewal. The act of planting a tree represents a commitment to the future, and to the idea that life will continue beyond our own individual existences.
The Power of Language
Finally, it's worth noting the power of Ammons' language in this poem. His words are carefully chosen, and every phrase is infused with meaning and significance. The poem is filled with striking images and powerful metaphors, and the language is at times both beautiful and unsettling.
In the thirteenth stanza, the speaker writes, "The river / takes me, anyway." Here, the river is presented as a powerful force that is beyond the speaker's control. It is a reminder of the way that time moves inexorably forward, regardless of our own desires or intentions.
In the final stanza, the speaker writes, "I want to be / with nothing in mind / but the soft flow of things." Here, the speaker is expressing a desire to be fully present in the world, to be immersed in the simple, everyday details of life. The language is simple and direct, yet it carries with it a profound sense of longing and desire.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Still is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through his use of symbolism, imagery, and language, Ammons creates a powerful meditation on the nature of identity, mortality, and time. The poem is both beautiful and haunting, a reminder of the fleetingness of life and the power of language to capture the complexities of the human experience. Whether read for the first time or revisited again and again, Still is a masterpiece of modern poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Still: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
A.R. Ammons, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem called Poetry Still, which is considered a masterpiece of modern poetry. This poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the creative process, and it explores the relationship between the poet and the world around them. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the line, "I am a poet of stillness," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not a poet of action or movement, but of stillness and contemplation. This line also establishes the speaker's identity as a poet, which is important because the poem is ultimately about the nature of poetry itself.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's surroundings, which are characterized by stillness and quietness. The speaker is surrounded by "the stillness of the trees," "the stillness of the air," and "the stillness of the light." This imagery creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, which is in contrast to the frenetic pace of modern life. The speaker is able to find inspiration in this stillness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The poem then shifts to a discussion of the creative process. The speaker describes how they "wait for the words to come," and how they must be patient and attentive in order to capture the essence of their surroundings. This is a common theme in poetry, as many poets believe that their work is a reflection of the world around them. The speaker is not creating something out of nothing, but rather capturing the beauty and stillness of their surroundings in words.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's relationship with language. The speaker says that they "love the sound of words," and that they are "always listening for the music of language." This is a common theme in poetry, as many poets believe that the sound of words is just as important as their meaning. The speaker is not just interested in what the words mean, but also in how they sound and how they fit together.
The poem then shifts to a discussion of the power of poetry. The speaker says that poetry has the power to "move the heart," and that it can "change the world." This is a common theme in poetry, as many poets believe that their work has the power to inspire and transform. The speaker is not just creating something for their own enjoyment, but also for the benefit of others.
The poem then returns to the theme of stillness. The speaker says that they "wait for the stillness to speak," and that they must be patient and attentive in order to hear it. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the stillness has a voice of its own, and that the poet must be attuned to it in order to capture its essence.
The poem then ends with the line, "I am a poet of stillness, and I will wait." This line is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it suggests that the poet's work is never done. The poet must always be attuned to the stillness around them, and they must always be patient and attentive in order to capture its essence. This is a powerful message for all poets, as it suggests that the creative process is never complete, and that there is always more to be discovered.
In terms of language, the poem is characterized by its simplicity and clarity. The language is not overly ornate or complex, but rather straightforward and direct. This is in keeping with the theme of stillness, as the language is not meant to be flashy or attention-grabbing, but rather to capture the essence of the poet's surroundings.
In terms of imagery, the poem is characterized by its use of stillness and quietness. The imagery creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, which is in contrast to the frenetic pace of modern life. The imagery also creates a sense of timelessness, as the stillness and quietness are not bound by time or place.
In conclusion, Poetry Still is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the nature of poetry and the creative process. The poem is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, as well as its use of stillness and quietness. The poem is a powerful reminder that the creative process is never complete, and that there is always more to be discovered.
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