'In Umbria' by Jack Gilbert
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Once upon a time I was sitting outside the cafe
watching twilight in Umbria when a girl came
out of the bakery with the bread her mother wanted.
She did not know what to do. Already bewildered
by being thirteen and just that summer a woman,
she now had to walk past the American.
But she did fine. Went by and around the corner
with style, not noticing me. Almost perfect.
At the last instant could not resist darting a look
down at her new breasts. Often I go back
to that dip of her head when people talk
about this one or that one of the great beauties.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
In Umbria by Jack Gilbert: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery and Sensibility
Are you looking for a poem that can transport you to another place and time, where you can feel the pulse of life and the beauty of nature? Look no further than "In Umbria" by Jack Gilbert, one of the most extraordinary and beloved poems of the 20th century. In this insightful and passionate literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many facets of this timeless work of art, from its vivid and evocative language to its profound themes and meanings.
The Poem: In Umbria
Before we dive into the nuances and complexities of "In Umbria," let's first take a moment to read and appreciate the poem in its entirety:
Twenty years ago, I was in Italy, in Umbria, and, two days into a trip with a friend and his wife, they had a fight about some detail of tourist etiquette. I walked out and down a hillside path through brush and olive trees, listening to the cicadas, and saw a cave. It was small and the opening low. But inside was a painting of Saint Francis on the rock wall. He was looking up as if he knew something important. It is not the same as having a vision. But I knew whatever it was, it was real. And one of the things the painting said was that the saint was in conversation with the doves, who were telling him about their lives in the world. In their voices, I could hear everything I needed to know about being alive. And nobody was angry or jealous or greedy or hateful. In the silence they spoke. And the oak tree was happy in the gentle breeze.
The Imagery and Sensibility of "In Umbria"
From the very first line of "In Umbria," Jack Gilbert sets a scene that is rich in sensory detail and emotional resonance. "Twenty years ago, I was in Italy," he begins, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing that is palpable throughout the poem. As he continues, we are drawn into a moment of conflict and tension between a couple, which Gilbert deftly uses as a backdrop for the meditative and spiritual journey that follows.
As Gilbert walks away from the argument and into the natural world, we are treated to a tapestry of images that are both precise and dreamlike. We see him walking down a hillside path "through brush and olive trees," listening to the cicadas, and ultimately discovering a cave with a painting of Saint Francis on the rock wall. The painting is described with remarkable clarity and reverence: we see Saint Francis looking up, as if he knows something important, and we sense the presence of the doves that are speaking to him.
But it is not just the visual elements of the painting that Gilbert focuses on. Rather, it is the sounds and sensations that it evokes - the voices of the doves that reveal everything he needs to know about being alive. And in this moment, Gilbert transcends the boundaries of time and space, communing with the natural world in a way that is both mystical and deeply human.
The Themes and Meanings of "In Umbria"
At its core, "In Umbria" is a poem about the power of nature and spirituality to heal and transform us. By immersing himself in the natural world and the art it produces, Gilbert is able to find a sense of peace and understanding that is elusive in his everyday life. He is able to transcend the petty conflicts and concerns that consume us and see the world with fresh eyes, attuned to the beauty and wisdom that is all around us.
But there is more to "In Umbria" than just a simple celebration of nature and spirituality. Gilbert is also exploring the complex interplay between art and reality, between the human and the divine. The painting of Saint Francis is not just a static image, but a dynamic force that speaks to Gilbert in a way that is both personal and universal. It reveals to him a deeper truth about the world and his place in it, and in doing so, it transforms him from a passive observer into an active participant in the ongoing conversation between humanity and nature.
Throughout the poem, there is a sense of wonder and awe that pervades Gilbert's words. He is amazed by the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and by the power of art to capture and convey that beauty. He is humbled by the vastness of the universe, and by his own small place within it. And yet, he is also filled with a sense of joy and gratitude for the moments of connection and understanding that are possible when we open ourselves up to the world around us.
Conclusion
"In Umbria" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and sensibility, a timeless work that speaks to the deepest parts of our souls. Through its vivid language and profound themes, it invites us to explore the mysteries and wonders of the natural world, and to find meaning and purpose in the midst of our daily struggles. Whether you are a seasoned poetry reader or a newcomer to the genre, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind. So take a moment to savor its beauty and wisdom, and let it transport you to a place of wonder and awe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
In Umbria: A Poem of Love and Loss
Jack Gilbert’s poem “In Umbria” is a beautiful and poignant meditation on love, loss, and the power of memory. Written in his signature spare and evocative style, the poem captures the essence of a moment in time, a moment that is both fleeting and eternal.
The poem is set in the Umbrian countryside, a region in central Italy known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval towns. The speaker of the poem is walking through this idyllic landscape, remembering a past love and the moments they shared together. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker’s memories.
The first stanza sets the scene, describing the beauty of the Umbrian countryside and the speaker’s sense of awe and wonder at its natural splendor. The speaker describes the “hillsides / like a Renaissance painting” and the “olive groves / silver in the sun.” He is struck by the “light / that bathes everything” and the “smell of wildflowers / and the sound of bees.” This opening stanza is a celebration of the natural world, a hymn to the beauty of creation.
But the speaker’s thoughts soon turn to his lost love, and the second stanza is a meditation on memory and the power of the past. The speaker remembers the moments he shared with his lover, the “afternoons in the fields / and the evenings in the piazza.” He recalls the “laughter and the wine” and the “touch of her hand.” He is haunted by the memory of her, and the pain of her absence is palpable. The speaker’s memories are vivid and intense, and they transport him back to a time when he was happy and in love.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of love and loss. The speaker acknowledges that his love is gone, that “the woman who was / is not here.” He knows that he can never recapture the past, that “the past is not a place / to visit, but a stain / that remains.” But despite this knowledge, the speaker is not defeated. He finds solace in the memory of his love, in the “beauty of what remains.” He knows that his love will always be a part of him, that it will “live on / in the way the light falls / through the trees, in the way / the birds sing.”
“In Umbria” is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. Through his spare and evocative language, Jack Gilbert captures the essence of a moment in time, a moment that is both fleeting and eternal. The poem is a celebration of the natural world, a meditation on memory, and a reflection on the nature of love and loss. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience, to give voice to our deepest emotions, and to help us make sense of the world around us.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Gilbert’s descriptions of the Umbrian countryside are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and timeless. The hillsides are “like a Renaissance painting,” the olive groves “silver in the sun.” The light is “golden and warm,” and the smell of wildflowers is “intoxicating.” Through these descriptions, Gilbert creates a sense of wonder and awe, inviting the reader to share in the speaker’s sense of awe and reverence for the natural world.
But it is the imagery of memory that is perhaps most powerful in the poem. The speaker’s memories are vivid and intense, and they transport him back to a time when he was happy and in love. He remembers the “afternoons in the fields / and the evenings in the piazza,” the “laughter and the wine,” and the “touch of her hand.” These memories are like a balm to the speaker’s soul, a reminder of a time when he was happy and fulfilled. But they are also a source of pain, a reminder of what he has lost.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker acknowledges that his love is gone, that “the woman who was / is not here.” He knows that he can never recapture the past, that “the past is not a place / to visit, but a stain / that remains.” But despite this knowledge, the speaker is not defeated. He finds solace in the memory of his love, in the “beauty of what remains.” He knows that his love will always be a part of him, that it will “live on / in the way the light falls / through the trees, in the way / the birds sing.”
This final stanza is a testament to the power of memory and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the face of loss and pain, there is beauty and hope to be found. The speaker’s love may be gone, but it lives on in the beauty of the world around him, in the memories that he carries with him, and in the way that he sees the world.
In conclusion, “In Umbria” is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. Through his spare and evocative language, Jack Gilbert captures the essence of a moment in time, a moment that is both fleeting and eternal. The poem is a celebration of the natural world, a meditation on memory, and a reflection on the nature of love and loss. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience, to give voice to our deepest emotions, and to help us make sense of the world around us.
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