'Big Hair' by David Lehman
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Ithaca, October 1993: Jorie went on a lingerie
tear, wanting to look like a moll
in a Chandler novel. Dinner, consisting of three parts ginand one part lime juice cordial, was a prelude to her hair.
There are, she said, poems that can be writtenonly when the poet is clad in black underwear.But that's Jorie for you. Always cracking wise, always where
the action is, the lights, and the sexy lingerie.Poems, she said, were meant to be writtenon the run, like ladders on the stockings of a gun mollat a bar. Jorie had to introduce the other poet with the fabulous hair
that night. She'd have preferred to work out at the gym.She'd have preferred to work out with Jim.She'd have preferred to be anywherebut here, where young men gawked at her hairand old men swooned at the thought of her lingerie."If you've seen one, you've seen the moll,"Jorie said when asked about C. "Everything she's writtenis an imitation of E." Some poems can be writtenonly when the poet has fortified herself with gin.Others come easily to one as feckless as MollFlanders. Jorie beamed. "It happened here,"she said. She had worn her best lingerie,and D. made the expected pass at her. "My hairwas big that night, not that I make a fetish of hair,but some poems must not be writtenby bald sopranos." That night she lectured on lingerieto an enthusiastic audience of female gymnasts and gin-
drinking males. "Utopia," she said, "is nowhere."This prompted one critic to declare that, of them all,all the poets with hair, Jorie was the fairest moll.The New York Times voted her "best hair."
Iowa City was said to be the place whereall aspiring poets went, their poems writtenon water, with blanks instead of words, a tonic
of silence in the heart of noise, and a vision of lingeriein the bright morning -- the lingerie to be worn by a mollholding a tumbler of gin, with her hairwet from the shower and her best poems waiting to be written.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Big Hair by David Lehman: A Journey into the World of 80s Pop Culture
As soon as I read the title Big Hair, I knew this poem was going to be a blast from the past. And boy, was I right! David Lehman's Big Hair is an ode to the 80s, a time when big hair, neon colors, and cheesy pop music ruled the world. But don't let the playful tone of the poem fool you. There's more to Big Hair than meets the eye.
A Quick Summary
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's recap what it's about. Big Hair is a free-verse poem that consists of three stanzas. The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, describing the speaker's obsession with big hair and the pop culture of the 80s. The second stanza takes a darker turn and talks about the AIDS epidemic that ravaged the world during that decade. The final stanza brings the poem full circle, ending on a note of nostalgia and hope.
The Playful Tone of Big Hair
What struck me the most about Big Hair is its playful tone. The poem reads like a love letter to the 80s, with the speaker reminiscing about the music, fashion, and movies of that era. Lehman's use of onomatopoeia and alliteration adds to the playful tone of the poem. Lines like "the sound of hairspray hissing" and "the glittering glamour of a generation" are both fun to read and evoke the spirit of the 80s.
But there's more to the playful tone of Big Hair than just nostalgia. The poem is also a commentary on the power of pop culture to shape our identities and our memories. The speaker's obsession with big hair and pop music is not just a fond memory but a defining aspect of his personality. In a way, Big Hair is a celebration of the power of pop culture to bring people together and create shared experiences.
The Dark Underbelly of Big Hair
But the playful tone of Big Hair is not all sunshine and rainbows. The second stanza of the poem takes a darker turn, reminding us of the tragic events that took place during the 80s. Lehman talks about the AIDS epidemic that ravaged the world during that decade, claiming the lives of millions of people. The line "when every kiss might have been deadly" is particularly poignant, reminding us of the fear and uncertainty that gripped the world during that time.
But Lehman doesn't dwell on the darkness for too long. The final stanza of the poem brings the poem full circle, ending on a note of nostalgia and hope. The speaker talks about the joy of discovering a song from the 80s on the radio, and how it brings back memories of a happier time. The poem ends on the line "and the music goes on and on," suggesting that even though the 80s are long gone, their spirit and energy live on through the music and culture of that time.
The Power of Nostalgia in Big Hair
One of the most striking aspects of Big Hair is its use of nostalgia. The poem is a celebration of the 80s, a time that the speaker remembers fondly. But Lehman doesn't just use nostalgia as a tool to evoke a sense of longing for the past. Instead, he uses nostalgia to highlight the enduring power of pop culture to shape our memories and identities.
The line "and the music goes on and on" is a testament to the power of nostalgia. Even though the 80s are long gone, the music and culture of that time continue to resonate with people today. The speaker's obsession with big hair and pop music is not just a fond memory but a defining aspect of his personality. In a way, the poem suggests that our memories and identities are shaped by the pop culture of our time, and that nostalgia is a powerful tool for remembering and celebrating our past.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Big Hair is a delightful poem that takes the reader on a journey through the world of 80s pop culture. Lehman's playful tone and use of nostalgia make the poem fun to read and evoke a sense of longing for a bygone era. But the poem is also a commentary on the power of pop culture to shape our memories and identities, and a reminder of the tragic events that took place during that decade. All in all, Big Hair is a testament to the enduring power of pop culture to bring people together and create shared experiences.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Big Hair: A Celebration of the Art of Poetry
David Lehman's Poetry Big Hair is a masterpiece that celebrates the art of poetry. The poem is a tribute to the poets who have inspired Lehman and have helped shape his own poetic voice. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire, to move, and to transform.
The poem begins with a description of the poet's hair, which is "big" and "wild." This hair is a metaphor for the poet's creative energy and the power of poetry to inspire and transform. The poet's hair is a symbol of his passion for poetry and his commitment to the art.
The poem then moves on to describe the poets who have inspired Lehman. These poets include Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, T.S. Eliot, and Sylvia Plath. Each of these poets is described in vivid detail, with Lehman capturing the essence of their poetic voice and style.
Emily Dickinson is described as a "recluse" who "wrote in secret." Lehman captures the mystery and power of Dickinson's poetry, which is often characterized by its brevity and its ability to capture the essence of a moment or feeling.
Walt Whitman is described as a "bearded bard" who "sang of America." Lehman captures the exuberance and energy of Whitman's poetry, which celebrates the beauty and diversity of the American landscape and its people.
T.S. Eliot is described as a "modernist" who "wrote of the wasteland." Lehman captures the complexity and depth of Eliot's poetry, which explores the fragmentation and disillusionment of modern life.
Sylvia Plath is described as a "tragic figure" who "wrote of her pain." Lehman captures the intensity and raw emotion of Plath's poetry, which explores the dark corners of the human psyche and the pain of existence.
Lehman's descriptions of these poets are not only accurate but also passionate. He clearly loves and admires these poets and their work, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Reading this poem, one cannot help but be inspired by the power of poetry and the transformative effect it can have on our lives.
The poem also explores the role of the poet in society. Lehman argues that poets are essential to our culture and our understanding of the world. He writes, "Poets are the ones who see / The world in a grain of sand / And eternity in an hour." This line is a reference to William Blake's poem "Auguries of Innocence," which argues that the smallest things in life can reveal the greatest truths.
Lehman's poem celebrates the power of poetry to reveal these truths and to help us understand the world around us. He argues that poets are essential to our culture because they help us see the world in new and profound ways.
The poem also explores the idea of poetic influence. Lehman acknowledges that all poets are influenced by those who came before them. He writes, "We are all the children / Of the poets who came before us." This line is a reminder that no poet exists in a vacuum and that all poets are part of a larger tradition.
Lehman's poem celebrates this tradition and the power of poetry to inspire and transform. He argues that poetry is not just a form of entertainment but a vital part of our cultural heritage. He writes, "Poetry is not a luxury / But a necessity of life." This line is a reference to Audre Lorde's essay "Poetry is Not a Luxury," which argues that poetry is essential to our emotional and spiritual well-being.
In conclusion, David Lehman's Poetry Big Hair is a celebration of the art of poetry. The poem celebrates the power of poetry to inspire, to move, and to transform. It explores the role of the poet in society and the importance of poetic influence. It is a passionate and inspiring tribute to the poets who have shaped Lehman's own poetic voice and to the power of poetry to reveal the deepest truths about ourselves and the world around us.
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