'Atavism' by William Stafford
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1
Sometimes in the open you look up
where birds go by, or just nothing,
and wait. A dim feeling comes
you were like this once, there was air,
and quiet; it was by a lake, or
maybe a river you were alert
as an otter and were suddenly born
like the evening star into wide
still worlds like this one you have found
again, for a moment, in the open.
2
Something is being told in the woods: aisles of
shadow lead away; a branch waves;
a pencil of sunlight slowly travels its
path. A withheld presence almost
speaks, but then retreats, rustles
a patch of brush. You can feel
the centuries ripple generations
of wandering, discovering, being lost
and found, eating, dying, being born.
A walk through the forest strokes your fur,
the fur you no longer have. And your gaze
down a forest aisle is a strange, long
plunge, dark eyes looking for home.
For delicious minutes you can feel your whiskers
wider than your mind, away out over everything.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Atavism by William Stafford: A Deep Dive into the Human Psyche
Atavism, a classic poem by William Stafford, explores the concept of the human psyche and its connection to nature. The poem is an introspective journey that delves into the depths of our primal instincts and behaviors. It is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, and continues to resonate with readers across generations.
The Poem
The poem is a mere 16 lines long, but it packs a powerful punch. It is a poem that demands to be read and re-read, for it is only through multiple readings that one can truly appreciate the depth and complexity of the message it conveys. Here's the poem in its entirety:
Atavism
In the pond in the park all things are doubled: Long buildings hang and wriggle gently. Chimneys are bent legs bouncing on clouds below. A flag wags like a fishhook down there in the sky.
The pond is a deep socket. Two-handed engine blocks are smoothly polished agate. Coffins? Yes, the water the shape of coffins. And negroes, many negroes stand in suits at the shore.
A white sign pasted on a telephone pole says "America" in heavy black letters, and wings rip apart in the high air over the roofs of the town.
At first glance, the poem might seem like a simple description of a park and a pond. However, as one delves deeper, it becomes evident that the poem is much more than that. It is an exploration of the human psyche and its connection to nature.
The Analysis
The poem begins with a description of a pond in a park, where "all things are doubled". This doubling is symbolic of the duality that exists within the human psyche. We all have a light and a dark side, and the pond reflects this duality. The "long buildings" that hang and "wriggle gently" represent the urban landscape, the concrete jungle that we have created for ourselves. The "chimneys" that are "bent legs bouncing on clouds below" represent the pollution that we have unleashed on the environment.
The "flag" that "wags like a fishhook down there in the sky" represents the patriotism that we have instilled in ourselves, the belief in a higher power, the collective consciousness that binds us all together. The pond, being a "deep socket", represents the depths of the human psyche, the primal instincts that we all possess.
The "two-handed engine blocks" that are "smoothly polished agate" represent the machines that we have created, the technology that we have invented to make our lives easier. However, this technology has come at a cost, for we have destroyed the environment in the process. The "coffins" that the water takes the shape of represent the inevitability of death, the transience of life.
The "negroes" who "stand in suits at the shore" represent the marginalized sections of society, who have been oppressed and discriminated against. The "white sign" that says "America" in "heavy black letters" represents the nationalism that we have instilled in ourselves, the belief in the superiority of our own country over others. The "wings" that "rip apart in the high air over the roofs of the town" represent the freedom that we all long for, the desire to break free from the shackles of society and be our true selves.
The Interpretation
Atavism is a poem that explores the depths of the human psyche, and its connection to nature. It is a commentary on the state of society, and the impact that we have had on the environment. The poem is a call to action, a plea to recognize the duality that exists within us, and to strive for a balance between the light and the dark.
The poem is also an exploration of the marginalized sections of society, who have been oppressed and discriminated against. It is a reminder that we are all equal, and that we must work towards a society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Atavism is a poem that is relevant even today, for it speaks to the issues that we face in our world today. It is a reminder that we must take responsibility for our actions, and work towards a better future for ourselves and for the generations to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Atavism is a masterpiece that explores the depths of the human psyche, and its connection to nature. It is a poem that demands to be read and re-read, for it is only through multiple readings that one can truly appreciate the depth and complexity of the message it conveys. It is a poem that is relevant even today, for it speaks to the issues that we face in our world today. It is a reminder that we must take responsibility for our actions, and work towards a better future for ourselves and for the generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Atavism: A Poem of Nature and Identity
William Stafford's poem Atavism is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem is a reflection on the primal instincts that still exist within us, despite our modern society's attempts to suppress them. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the themes and imagery of Atavism and explore what the poem has to say about our identity and our place in the natural world.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of natural beauty: "Sometimes in the open you look up / Where birds go by, or just nothing, / And sky widens and spreads away / And the day is going nowhere." The speaker is observing the world around them, taking in the sights and sounds of nature. The imagery here is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a vast and open landscape that stretches out endlessly before us.
As the poem continues, the speaker begins to reflect on their own identity and their connection to the natural world. They describe feeling a sense of kinship with the animals they see around them: "You are part of the air's / Impalpable netting of things / Like this empty country, and I / Am part of dirt, whispering to these / Inaudible companions of the way." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that they are not separate from nature, but rather a part of it. They see themselves as being connected to the animals and the land around them, and they feel a sense of belonging in this natural world.
However, the poem takes a darker turn as the speaker begins to explore the idea of atavism - the idea that we still carry within us the primal instincts of our ancestors. The speaker describes feeling a sense of fear and unease as they contemplate this idea: "But there are days, too, when the air / Achieves the perfume of poetry, / When sunlight sheds on our skin / And the soft rustling of leaves / Is music." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that there are times when they feel a deep connection to nature, but that this connection is also tinged with a sense of danger and uncertainty.
The poem's central image is that of the wolf, which represents the primal instincts that still exist within us. The speaker describes seeing a wolf in the distance, and feeling a sense of fear and awe at its power and wildness: "And I see the wolf's eyes, / Its sly, its mildness, and I wonder / Which of us will harm the other." The wolf is a symbol of our own primal nature, and the speaker is acknowledging that this part of us is both beautiful and dangerous.
The poem's final lines are perhaps its most powerful: "I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, / A harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that our attempts to understand the natural world are ultimately futile. We cannot fully comprehend the complexity and mystery of nature, and our attempts to do so only serve to make us feel small and insignificant.
In conclusion, Atavism is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem's vivid imagery and evocative language paint a picture of a world that is both beautiful and dangerous, and the speaker's reflections on their own identity and connection to nature are both moving and insightful. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but rather a part of it, and that our attempts to understand and control the natural world are ultimately futile.
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