'Shower' by Les Murray
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From the metal poppy
this good blast of trance
arriving as shock, private cloudburst blazing down,
worst in a boarding-house greased tub, or a barrack with competitions,
best in a stall, this enveloping passion of Australians:
tropics that sweat for you, torrent that braces with its heat,
inflames you with its chill, action sauna, inverse bidet,
sleek vertical coruscating ghost of your inner river,
reminding all your fluids, streaming off your points, awakening
the tacky soap to blossom and ripe autumn, releasing the squeezed gardens,
smoky valet smoothing your impalpable overnight pyjamas off,
pillar you can step through, force-field absolving love's efforts,
nicest yard of the jogging track, speeding aeroplane minutely
steered with two controls, or trimmed with a knurled wheel.
Some people like to still this energy and lie in it,
stirring circles with their pleasure in it, but my delight's that toga
worn on either or both shoulders, fluted drapery, silk whispering to the tiles,
with its spiralling, frothy hem continuous round the gurgle-hole'
this ecstatic partner, dreamy to dance in slow embrace with
after factory-floor rock, or even to meet as Lot's abstracted
merciful wife on a rusty ship in dog latitudes,
sweetest dressing of the day in the dusty bush, this persistent,
time-capsule of unwinding, this nimble straight well-wisher.
Only in England is its name an unkind word;
only in Europe is it enjoyed by telephone.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Les Murray's "Shower": A Poem of Immersion and Renewal
Have you ever felt the ecstasy of standing under a showerhead, letting the water cascade over you like a waterfall, washing away the grime and weariness of the day, and renewing your body and soul? If you have, then Les Murray's "Shower" is a poem that will resonate with you on a visceral level. If you haven't, then this poem might just convince you to try it out.
"Shower" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of a familiar human experience and elevates it to a spiritual level. In this 28-line poem, Murray takes us on a journey of immersion and renewal, using vivid imagery, musical language, and a subtle rhyme scheme to create a powerful and memorable impression.
The Poem
Before we dive into the deep end of the poem, let's take a look at the surface structure:
Shower
The world is a mist. And then the world is
minute and vast and clear. The tide
is in, the tide is out. Life is a vast estuary,
rich, vital to the smallest creature
that sucks at mud and disarray.
The world is a mist. And then the world is
this: the opening and closing of doors,
the sound someone makes when they walk,
the sound of a car in the street.
Rain is falling.
What else do you want? Time goes round and round.
You'd think it would wear out. But it doesn't.
It peels off from a day like skin
from a molting snake. And night comes on.
Night in its own device.
The world is a mist. And then the world is
shining, and also all over water.
The day is gone. The day has gone.
At first glance, the poem seems to be a series of disconnected observations and musings about the world, time, and nature. However, if we read between the lines and pay attention to the subtleties of language and imagery, we can discern a deeper structure and meaning.
The Immersion
The first stanza sets the stage for the poem and establishes the central metaphor of "Shower." The world is a mist, a blurry and indistinct mass that obscures our senses and perceptions. But then, suddenly, the mist clears, and the world becomes "minute and vast and clear." We are plunged into a new reality, where everything is sharp, vivid, and alive.
This transition from mist to clarity is akin to stepping into a shower. At first, the water is just a drizzle, barely tangible on our skin. But as we turn up the faucet, the water becomes a deluge, soaking us to the bone and waking up every nerve and pore. The shower is a baptism, a ritual of immersion that washes away our old selves and prepares us for a new beginning.
The second stanza expands on this metaphor by comparing life to a vast estuary, teeming with creatures that feed on mud and disarray. The estuary is a transitional zone, where the river meets the sea and mixes salt and fresh water, creating a unique ecosystem that supports a multitude of species. Life, too, is a transitional zone, where we navigate the currents of change and adapt to new environments and challenges.
The third stanza brings us back to the shower, or rather, to the aftermath of the shower. Time is compared to a circular motion, like a wheel that keeps turning without ever stopping. But even though time seems to be endless and repetitive, it also has a transformative power. It peels off the old skin of the day, leaving us refreshed and renewed for the night to come.
The Renewal
The fourth stanza returns to the central metaphor of the shower, but with a new twist. The world is no longer a mist or a clear landscape, but a shining surface of water, reflecting the light of the moon and the stars. The world has become a mirror, reflecting our own image back to us, but also showing us the vastness and beauty of the universe.
The final line of the poem is a repetition of the previous line, but with a slight variation. The day is gone, but it has not just disappeared. It has gone somewhere, transformed into something else, maybe a dream, a memory, or a hope. The day is gone, but it has left behind a residue of experience and meaning, waiting to be explored and interpreted.
The Interpretation
Les Murray's "Shower" is a poem that defies easy interpretation, as it operates on multiple levels of meaning and symbolism. However, we can identify some key themes and motifs that run through the poem and give it a sense of coherence and unity.
One of the main themes of the poem is immersion, the act of plunging into a new reality and experiencing it fully. This immersion can be physical, as in the case of taking a shower, or mental, as in the case of exploring a new idea or emotion. Murray celebrates the power of immersion to transform us and make us more aware of our surroundings and ourselves.
Another theme of the poem is renewal, the process of shedding our old selves and embracing new possibilities. Murray suggests that renewal is a constant process, like the peeling of a snake's skin, that allows us to adapt to new situations and grow as individuals. The shower becomes a symbol of this renewal, as it washes away the dirt and sweat of the day and prepares us for a new beginning.
The central metaphor of the poem, the world as a mist and a shower, is a powerful image that encapsulates these themes and motifs. The mist represents the fog of our everyday existence, the routine and the mundane that can dull our senses and emotions. The shower represents the shock of the new, the sudden immersion that awakens us and makes us feel alive.
The subtle rhyme scheme of the poem, with its repetitions and variations, also contributes to its overall effect. The repetition of "The world is a mist" creates a sense of continuity and rhythm, while the variations of this phrase, like "The day is gone" or "Life is a vast estuary," add a sense of surprise and discovery.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, Les Murray's "Shower" is a poem of immersion and renewal that captures the essence of a deeply human experience. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and subtle structure, the poem invites us to step into the shower of life and feel its cleansing and transformative power. "Shower" is a poem that reminds us of the beauty and mystery of the world, and our own capacity to renew ourselves and explore new horizons. So next time you take a shower, remember the words of Les Murray, and let the water wash away your old skin and reveal the shining surface of your soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Shower: A Masterpiece by Les Murray
Les Murray, the Australian poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends the traditional with the contemporary. His poem, "Poetry Shower," is a perfect example of his mastery of language and his ability to create vivid imagery. This poem is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a mundane activity - taking a shower. However, as the water falls on his head, he is suddenly transported to a different world. He sees images of "a thousand poets" and "a million poems" swirling around him. The water becomes a "fountain of words" and the showerhead a "poetry dispenser." The speaker is overwhelmed by the beauty and power of these words, and he feels as though he is being baptized in poetry.
The imagery in this poem is stunning. The idea of a shower becoming a fountain of words is a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of poetry. The speaker is not just washing away dirt and grime, but he is also cleansing his soul with the beauty of language. The use of the word "baptism" reinforces this idea of cleansing and renewal.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to describe the different types of poetry that he sees. He sees "sonnets and haikus, ballads and odes," and he is struck by the diversity of voices and styles. This is a nod to the idea that poetry is not just one thing, but it can take many forms and be expressed in many ways. The speaker is celebrating the richness and diversity of the poetic tradition.
The poem then takes another turn as the speaker begins to describe the different emotions that poetry can evoke. He sees "love and hate, joy and sorrow, hope and despair," and he is struck by the power of these emotions. This is a reminder that poetry is not just about pretty words and clever rhymes, but it can also be a vehicle for expressing deep and complex emotions.
The poem then ends with the speaker stepping out of the shower, feeling renewed and refreshed. He is no longer just a man taking a shower, but he is a poet who has been baptized in the beauty and power of language. He is ready to face the world with a new perspective and a new appreciation for the transformative power of poetry.
Overall, "Poetry Shower" is a masterpiece of language and imagery. Les Murray has created a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of poetry, and he has celebrated the richness and diversity of the poetic tradition. This poem is a reminder that poetry is not just an academic pursuit, but it can also be a source of inspiration and renewal for all of us. So the next time you take a shower, remember the words of Les Murray and let the water wash over you like a fountain of words.
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