'The Other World' by Robert Wrigley


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The Atlantic MonthlyNovember 2001So here is the old buckwho all winter long
had traveled with the doesand yearlings, with the fawns
just past their spots,and who had hung back,
walking where the others had walked,eating what they had left,
and who had struck now and thena pose against the wind,
against a twig-snap or the waythe light came slinking
among the trees.Here is the mangled earand the twisted, hindering leg.
Here, already bearing him awayamong the last drifts of snow
and the nightly hard freezes,is a line of tiny ants,
making its way from the caveof the right eye, over the steep
occipital ridge, across the moonscape, shed-hornmedallion and through the valley
of the ear's cloven shadowto the ground,
where among the stavesof shed needles and the red earthy wine
they carry himbit by gnawn bit
into another world.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exploring the Other World: A Critical Analysis of Robert Wrigley's Poetry

Have you ever experienced a transcendental moment that left you awestruck, questioning the reality of the world around you? If you have, you can relate to the themes explored in Robert Wrigley's poetry collection, The Other World. The collection features poems that delve into the idea of the otherworldly, the metaphysical, and the unknown.

Wrigley's poetic style is characterized by his use of vivid imagery, intense emotion, and a unique blend of the natural and supernatural. His poems are deeply personal and often explore themes of love, death, and the afterlife. In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis of Wrigley's poetry and explore the various themes and motifs present in The Other World.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Wrigley's poetry is his use of vivid imagery. He often draws upon the natural world to create a sense of awe and wonder in his readers. For example, in the poem "The Other World," he describes a moment of transcendence:

"there I stood one day on the brink
of the other world, seeing, as if for the first time,
the value of light, the measured mechanics
of winged flight, the beauty of the human
face in repose, the sudden, unbidden
shock of recognition that the world
could be otherwise, and is." (Wrigley, 5)

Through his use of imagery, Wrigley creates a sense of awe and wonder in the readers. He captures the beauty of the natural world and the moments of transcendence that can be experienced within it.

The Otherworldly

One of the central themes in Wrigley's poetry is the otherworldly. He often explores the idea of an alternate reality, a place beyond the physical world. In "The Other World," he describes a moment of transcendence where he glimpses this other reality:

"the other world that is always there,
just beyond this one, and the idea
that everything we see, even the most invisible,
is underwritten by what we do not see." (Wrigley, 5)

Wrigley's use of language creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, suggesting that there is a hidden reality that we cannot see. This theme is explored further in the poem "The Dream of the Other World," where he describes a dreamlike state where the speaker is able to access this otherworldly realm:

"By that light I saw, for the first time,
the other world that lies beneath this one,
the world that is always present, always
real, always bright, though we are usually
too blind to see it." (Wrigley, 18)

In this poem, Wrigley suggests that the otherworldly is not just a physical place, but a state of mind that can be accessed through dreams and imagination. His use of language creates a sense of wonder and excitement, suggesting that there is a vast, unknown world waiting to be discovered.

Love and Loss

Another theme explored in The Other World is the idea of love and loss. In "The Other World," Wrigley describes a moment of transcendence where he glimpses the beauty of the natural world:

"the value of light, the measured mechanics
of winged flight, the beauty of the human
face in repose" (Wrigley, 5)

Through his use of imagery, Wrigley captures the beauty of the natural world and the moments of transcendence that can be experienced within it. However, this sense of beauty is often juxtaposed with a sense of loss or sadness. In "The Other World," he describes the beauty of a butterfly, but also acknowledges its fleeting nature:

"It is a thing to be held, if only for a moment,
a winged thing that will soon depart
and be gone, leaving us here in this world,
lonely and bereft, but also filled
with an aching sense of the miraculous." (Wrigley, 4)

Wrigley's use of language creates a sense of longing and loss, suggesting that the beauty of the natural world is fleeting and ephemeral. This theme is explored further in "After the Rain," where he describes the beauty of a rainbow:

"the arc of the sky, the hush
of the world, the sudden
burst of color, and then
the slow fading, the drift
of the other world away." (Wrigley, 21)

In this poem, Wrigley captures the beauty of the natural world, but also acknowledges its transient nature. His use of language creates a sense of sadness and loss, suggesting that even the most beautiful moments in life are fleeting and impermanent.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Wrigley's poetry collection, The Other World, explores themes of the otherworldly, love, and loss. Through his use of vivid imagery and intense emotion, Wrigley captures the beauty of the natural world and the moments of transcendence that can be experienced within it. However, his poetry also acknowledges the fleeting nature of beauty and captures the sense of longing and loss that comes with it. The Other World is a powerful collection of poetry that will leave readers awestruck and questioning the reality of the world around them.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to another world, and Robert Wrigley's "The Other World" is a prime example of this. This poem takes us on a journey through the natural world, exploring the beauty and mystery of the universe. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of "The Other World" to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a description of the natural world, with the speaker observing the "stars, the moon, the planets" and the "constellations of light." The imagery here is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a vast and awe-inspiring universe. The use of the word "constellations" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of order and harmony in the cosmos.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to contemplate the meaning of this vast universe. They ask, "What is this other world / that is not this world?" This question is at the heart of the poem, and it speaks to a fundamental human desire to understand the mysteries of existence. The use of the word "other" is significant here, as it suggests that there is something beyond our everyday experience that we can only glimpse at from afar.

The speaker goes on to describe the natural world in more detail, focusing on the "rivers, the mountains, the forests" and the "animals, the birds, the fish." The imagery here is rich and varied, and it reinforces the idea that the natural world is a complex and interconnected system. The use of the word "system" is important here, as it suggests that everything in the natural world is part of a larger whole.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the idea of death and rebirth. They describe the "bones of the earth" and the "ashes of the stars," suggesting that everything in the natural world is constantly being recycled and renewed. The use of the word "bones" is particularly effective here, as it suggests a sense of permanence and solidity in the natural world.

The speaker goes on to describe the cycle of life and death in more detail, focusing on the idea of decay and renewal. They describe the "rotting leaves" and the "maggots and flies," suggesting that even the most unpleasant aspects of the natural world are part of a larger process of renewal. The use of the word "renewal" is important here, as it suggests that death is not an end, but rather a necessary part of the cycle of life.

As the poem draws to a close, the speaker returns to the idea of the "other world." They describe it as a place of "light and shadow," suggesting that it is a place of both beauty and mystery. The use of the word "shadow" is particularly effective here, as it suggests that there is still much that we do not understand about the universe.

In conclusion, "The Other World" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Through its vivid imagery and rich language, it transports us to a place beyond our everyday experience, where we can contemplate the mysteries of existence. The poem speaks to a fundamental human desire to understand the universe, and it reminds us that even in the face of death and decay, there is still beauty and renewal to be found.

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