As someone with plenty of academic training, I still find it rather a mystery how and when a poem will open up to reveal itself to me. And I have always found it incredibly helpful to read poetry in community with other readers because often times the key is in something another reader says. In my poetry seminar I would often come to class baffled by the poems we'd been set to read only to find them unexpectedly blooming prompted by a fell student's question or offhand comment or even a misreading. There's nothing quite like a fellow reader boldly proposing a reading and finding yourself violently disagreeing with them to open doors previously tight shut.
Which is to say that this is one of those poems I've read multiple times before that has always eluded me. I'm not quite sure why. Brit, your reading illuminates the poem for me and suddenly the clouds roll away and I can see clearly. Thank you.
Sometimes it is downright mysterious to me how a poem doesn’t open up to me on a first or second reading. The other day someone commented that they didn’t “get” a poem I had sent, and I mentioned that I had to read it a couple times and asked if she had read it out loud yet. That’s especially interesting to me how the misreadings of other students sometimes still provided you the key to unlocking a poem. I love how you and Brit both emphasize poetry is meant to be experienced in community.
I’ve often felt the same. It’s a vivid reflection of the value of community, in that we help each other to see what we don’t have eyes for yet. I’m curious how much is dependent on our individual state as well, in respect to being in a place to receive. Much like the illumination of scripture, I think the Lord graciously and patiently cultivates our hearts and minds so that at the right time we see it with clarity. I’m glad to have done that for you with this poem, Melanie!
I just absolutely adored this whole piece. Brit, what wonderful thoughts you have shared with us. And my goodness, THAT POEM. It's the kind of poem you want to print out to give a friend to think about with you. I need to get my hands on more Richard Wilbur poems!
I can’t think of the last time a poem gave me such a fresh perspective on a well-known subject. I am so used to thinking of doves and ravens associated with Noah, but now I will always think of sparrows and vultures as well. I’m particularly struck by the opening line’s apostrophe and how it positions the reader effortlessly without any back story.
Yes! There’s so much depth here. And it’s not heavy handed. I get the joy of discovering all these things as if for myself. I love this poem, and every time I read it, I love it more. Brit unpacks it so beautifully.
I loved this so much. Vultures are such interesting creatures. I studied them a while back and was surprised by how structured their social systems are. Many species mate for life, much like eagles, and they operate within surprisingly ordered communal hierarchies. There is fidelity and intelligence there that we rarely associate with them.
So I agree with you. The vulture is not grotesque. It is faithful to its role. It occupies a necessary office in creation, high in heaven’s height yet deeply connected to the work below. I love the way you connected that faithfulness into something redemptive, something Christ-shaped, feels exactly like the charitable vision you describe.
I’ve always thought about ravens and doves associated with Noah’s story, and now thanks to Wilbur, and Brit’s insights, I will also think of sparrows and vultures. Thank you for reading and commenting, Mandy.
How very beautiful! Thanks for the lovely article and the introduction to this poem. I’m not familiar with much Richard Wilbur, but I go back to A Christmas Hymn every year. It’s a favourite. :)
Thank you for reading, Racquel, and for the inspiration to go read “A Christmas Hymn.” I just read it, and it is lovely. I printed off a huge packet of Wilbur’s poems yesterday and mean to remedy my ignorance of his brilliance.
I just subscribed. This is the kind of poetry I miss and find lacking in today's disembodied poetry. I've been banging my head about how the kind of poetry I find that gets published in literary journals lack sonic texture, a sonic haptic feedback from the way words are voiced by the lips, jaws and tongue, a recognition that words have beat and tempo and a willingness to use these to embody the poem's meaning. This poem has that. And for that I thank you.
So happy to have you here, Charles. The poetry in these guest posts has been a rich feast. Definitely subscribe to Brit's stack as well! Her poetry has a strong musicality you will appreciate.
One of the poets you mention above is the one Mark Rico is writing about next week! You are tracking with this series. The act of writing is a gift. It is the best way I know to consider my questions and to become better acquainted with myself.
As someone with plenty of academic training, I still find it rather a mystery how and when a poem will open up to reveal itself to me. And I have always found it incredibly helpful to read poetry in community with other readers because often times the key is in something another reader says. In my poetry seminar I would often come to class baffled by the poems we'd been set to read only to find them unexpectedly blooming prompted by a fell student's question or offhand comment or even a misreading. There's nothing quite like a fellow reader boldly proposing a reading and finding yourself violently disagreeing with them to open doors previously tight shut.
Which is to say that this is one of those poems I've read multiple times before that has always eluded me. I'm not quite sure why. Brit, your reading illuminates the poem for me and suddenly the clouds roll away and I can see clearly. Thank you.
Sometimes it is downright mysterious to me how a poem doesn’t open up to me on a first or second reading. The other day someone commented that they didn’t “get” a poem I had sent, and I mentioned that I had to read it a couple times and asked if she had read it out loud yet. That’s especially interesting to me how the misreadings of other students sometimes still provided you the key to unlocking a poem. I love how you and Brit both emphasize poetry is meant to be experienced in community.
I’ve often felt the same. It’s a vivid reflection of the value of community, in that we help each other to see what we don’t have eyes for yet. I’m curious how much is dependent on our individual state as well, in respect to being in a place to receive. Much like the illumination of scripture, I think the Lord graciously and patiently cultivates our hearts and minds so that at the right time we see it with clarity. I’m glad to have done that for you with this poem, Melanie!
I’ve felt this so often as well! I love how you point to the importance of community, Brit. That is beautiful.
I just absolutely adored this whole piece. Brit, what wonderful thoughts you have shared with us. And my goodness, THAT POEM. It's the kind of poem you want to print out to give a friend to think about with you. I need to get my hands on more Richard Wilbur poems!
Yes! Definitely grab a copy of his collected works. There’s an abundance of gold in there.
Listen to carrion – put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
~Wendell Berry
"...Pardon him, you
Who dart in the orchard aisles, for it is he
Devours death, mocks mutability,
Has heart to make an end, keeps nature new."
A beautiful tribute to one of God's ugliest (wildest?) creatures. We seem to only value the creatures we can tame.
I don't see anyone lining up to domesticate a vulture. And maybe there's something to that.
I can’t think of the last time a poem gave me such a fresh perspective on a well-known subject. I am so used to thinking of doves and ravens associated with Noah, but now I will always think of sparrows and vultures as well. I’m particularly struck by the opening line’s apostrophe and how it positions the reader effortlessly without any back story.
It reminds me that God has a different view of Beauty than we yet comprehend. Thanks for reading, Lincoln!
shows how imagination redeems what we dismiss. The vulture becomes beautiful. Noah becomes heroic. The ordinary becomes sacramental.
Yes! There’s so much depth here. And it’s not heavy handed. I get the joy of discovering all these things as if for myself. I love this poem, and every time I read it, I love it more. Brit unpacks it so beautifully.
I loved this so much. Vultures are such interesting creatures. I studied them a while back and was surprised by how structured their social systems are. Many species mate for life, much like eagles, and they operate within surprisingly ordered communal hierarchies. There is fidelity and intelligence there that we rarely associate with them.
So I agree with you. The vulture is not grotesque. It is faithful to its role. It occupies a necessary office in creation, high in heaven’s height yet deeply connected to the work below. I love the way you connected that faithfulness into something redemptive, something Christ-shaped, feels exactly like the charitable vision you describe.
I’ve always thought about ravens and doves associated with Noah’s story, and now thanks to Wilbur, and Brit’s insights, I will also think of sparrows and vultures. Thank you for reading and commenting, Mandy.
How very beautiful! Thanks for the lovely article and the introduction to this poem. I’m not familiar with much Richard Wilbur, but I go back to A Christmas Hymn every year. It’s a favourite. :)
Thank you for reading, Racquel, and for the inspiration to go read “A Christmas Hymn.” I just read it, and it is lovely. I printed off a huge packet of Wilbur’s poems yesterday and mean to remedy my ignorance of his brilliance.
Brilliant article and introduction to a poet I had not yet read!
I’m so glad to hear this resonated with you!
I just subscribed. This is the kind of poetry I miss and find lacking in today's disembodied poetry. I've been banging my head about how the kind of poetry I find that gets published in literary journals lack sonic texture, a sonic haptic feedback from the way words are voiced by the lips, jaws and tongue, a recognition that words have beat and tempo and a willingness to use these to embody the poem's meaning. This poem has that. And for that I thank you.
Yes! The best poetry reads well, but is also written to be spoken - it rides on the tongue.... You hear it, even as you read it.
Dave
Exactly this! You write for the ear and the eye, Dave, so you know this well.
So happy to have you here, Charles. The poetry in these guest posts has been a rich feast. Definitely subscribe to Brit's stack as well! Her poetry has a strong musicality you will appreciate.
“gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.”
I used this in one of my poems.
Loved the article. Brit's Midsummer Night's Dream quote brought to mind one of my most ars poetica pieces in my upcoming book.
Describing Poetry
Eliot’s escape
Frost’s finding
Wordsworth’s tranquility
Poe’s rhythmical creation
Levertov’s practice of attention
Thomas’ contribution to reality
St. Vincent Millay’s valuable mistakes
Auden’s expression of mixed feelings
Collin’s reassembling of what has been scattered
Shakespeare’s giving airy nothing a local habitation and a name
I write because before I do my thoughts are anonymous hobos
wandering shepherdless bleating sheep
lost, confused, individual voices
false starts, yet starts the same
making the meaningless mean
focusing past distraction
composing tempos
relaxing restraints
discovering
liberation
One of the poets you mention above is the one Mark Rico is writing about next week! You are tracking with this series. The act of writing is a gift. It is the best way I know to consider my questions and to become better acquainted with myself.
I think the most hospitable was probably Frost but…
Thank you for introducing me to this poem - I love it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Wilbur is worth exploring and I’m certain you would find others of his to your liking.