'A Retrospect Of Humidity' by Les Murray

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All the air conditioners now slacken
their hummed carrier wave. Once again
we've served our three months with remissions
in the steam and dry iron of this seaboard.
In jellied glare, through the nettle-rash season
we've watched the sky's fermenting laundry
portend downpours. Some came, and steamed away,
and we were clutched back into the rancid
saline midnights of orifice weather,
to damp grittiness and wiping off the air.Metaphors slump irritably together in
the muggy weeks. Shark and jellyfish shallows
become suburbs where you breathe a fat towel;
babies burst like tomatoes with discomfort
in the cotton-wrapped pointing street markets;
the Lycra-bulging surf drips from non-swimmers
miles from shore, and somehow includes soil.
Skins, touching, soak each other. Skin touching
any surface wets that and itself
in a kind of mutual digestion.
Throbbing heads grow lianas of nonsense.It's our annual visit to the latitudes
of rice, kerosene and resignation,
an averted, temporary visit
unrelated, for most, to the attitudes
of festive northbound jets gaining height -
closer, for some few, to the memory
of ulcers scraped with a tin spoon
or sweated faces bowing before dry
where the flesh is worn inside out,
all the hunger-organs clutched in rank nylon,
by those for whom exhaustion is spirit:an intrusive, heart-narrowing season
at this far southern foot of the monsoon.
As the kleenex flower, the hibiscus
drops its browning wads, we forget
annually, as one forgets a sickness.
The stifling days will never come again,
not now that we've seen the first sweater
tugged down on the beauties of division
and inside the rain's millions, a risen
loaf of cat on a cool night verandah.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, A Retrospect Of Humidity: A Critical Analysis

Les Murray's Poetry, A Retrospect Of Humidity is a collection of poems that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joys of life. The poet uses his words to paint vivid pictures of his experiences and observations, creating a deeply immersive and evocative reading experience. From the first poem to the last, Murray's words transport the reader to a world of humidity, of cicadas humming in the trees, of rivers and mountains and the ever-changing Australian landscape.

In this literary criticism, we will examine Murray's themes, language, and imagery, analyzing the ways in which these elements combine to create a vivid and powerful poetic vision.

Themes

One of the central themes of Poetry, A Retrospect Of Humidity is the celebration of nature. Throughout the collection, Murray revels in the beauty of the natural world, from the "ravishing blue" of the sky in "The Symmetry of the Blue" to the "bloom of the wattles" in "Wattle Trees". He writes with a deep reverence for the land and its creatures, and his descriptions of the landscape are often imbued with a sense of awe and wonder.

Another important theme in the collection is the relationship between humans and nature. Murray frequently explores the ways in which people interact with the environment around them, from the farmers in "The Broad Bean Sermon" to the hunters in "Horses". He portrays these interactions with a mixture of admiration and criticism, acknowledging the important role that humans play in shaping the world around them while also recognizing the damage that can be done when this relationship becomes unbalanced.

A third theme that runs throughout the collection is the idea of identity. Murray frequently explores what it means to be Australian, and his poems are often deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of his home country. He writes about the struggles of rural life, the importance of family and community, and the complex history of colonization and its impact on the Australian identity.

Language

Murray's language in Poetry, A Retrospect Of Humidity is both rich and complex. He frequently employs vivid metaphors and similes to create images that are both striking and memorable. For example, in "The Symmetry of the Blue", he describes the sky as "a perfect ovoid", while in "The Broad Bean Sermon", he writes that the bean pods "hold a green silence like a fat breath".

Murray's language is also notable for its use of Australian vernacular. He employs colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions that are specific to his country and culture, such as "yabbies" (a type of freshwater crayfish) and "dagwood dogs" (a type of hotdog). This use of language gives Murray's poetry a distinct sense of place and identity.

Another aspect of Murray's language that is worth noting is his use of repetition. He frequently repeats certain phrases or words within a poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasizing certain ideas or themes. For example, in "An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow", he repeats the phrase "and so it has come to pass" throughout the poem, creating a sense of inevitability and finality.

Imagery

One of the most distinctive features of Poetry, A Retrospect Of Humidity is its use of imagery. Murray's descriptions of the natural world are often incredibly vivid, and he frequently employs sensory details to create a deeply immersive reading experience. For example, in "The Broad Bean Sermon", he describes the smell of the beans as "like hot green knife-cuts through the nostrils", while in "The Dream of Wearing Shorts Forever", he writes that the cicadas "screw their saws into silence".

Murray's imagery is also notable for its use of color. He frequently employs bright, bold colors to create a sense of vibrancy and life. For example, in "The Symmetry of the Blue", he describes the sky as "ravishing blue", while in "Wattle Trees", he writes that the blooms of the trees are "the yellow that means rebirth".

Another aspect of Murray's imagery that is worth noting is his use of personification. He frequently imbues the natural world with human qualities, portraying the landscape as alive and sentient. For example, in "The Dream of Wearing Shorts Forever", he writes that the "trees breathe out their last, they are the earth's undying effort".

Conclusion

In conclusion, Les Murray's Poetry, A Retrospect Of Humidity is a rich and powerful collection of poems that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joys of life. Murray's language and imagery are both striking and memorable, and his themes of nature, identity, and the relationship between humans and the environment are explored with depth and nuance. Through his words, Murray transports the reader to a world of humidity and wonder, and invites us to see the world around us with new eyes.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. Les Murray's "A Retrospect of Humidity" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a place and time, and transport the reader to a different world.

The poem is set in the Australian outback, where the humidity is high, and the air is thick with the scent of eucalyptus. The opening lines of the poem set the scene perfectly, "The air is thick with eucalyptus, / the sun is hot and high, / the flies are thick and buzzing, / and the dust is in your eye." These lines immediately transport the reader to the Australian outback, where the heat and humidity are palpable.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of life in the outback. The first stanza focuses on the natural world, with Murray describing the flora and fauna of the region. He writes, "The trees are tall and stately, / the grass is brown and dry, / the kangaroos are hopping, / and the birds are soaring high." These lines paint a picture of a harsh, yet beautiful landscape, where life thrives despite the difficult conditions.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the people who live in the outback. Murray describes the hardworking farmers and their families, who work tirelessly to make a living in this unforgiving environment. He writes, "The farmers toil in the fields, / their wives cook and clean, / the children play in the dust, / and the dogs bark and keen." These lines capture the resilience and determination of the people who call the outback home.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Murray reflects on the impact that the outback has had on him personally. He writes, "I've travelled far and wide, / but this place still holds my heart, / the memories of my youth, / and the dreams that never part." These lines speak to the deep connection that Murray feels to the outback, and the way in which it has shaped his identity.

One of the most striking aspects of "A Retrospect of Humidity" is the way in which Murray uses language to capture the essence of the outback. His use of vivid imagery, such as "the flies are thick and buzzing" and "the dust is in your eye," creates a sensory experience for the reader, allowing them to feel as though they are right there in the outback with him.

Murray also uses repetition throughout the poem to great effect. The repetition of the phrase "the air is thick with eucalyptus" in the first and final stanzas creates a sense of continuity, linking the beginning and end of the poem together. Similarly, the repetition of the phrase "and the" in the second stanza creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, reflecting the hardworking nature of the people who live in the outback.

Overall, "A Retrospect of Humidity" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life in the Australian outback. Through his use of vivid imagery, repetition, and powerful language, Murray transports the reader to a different world, allowing them to experience the heat, humidity, and beauty of this unique landscape. Whether you have visited the outback or not, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

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