And it would call for just such work as Hart Crane has given us - the piling up on startlingĪnd widely disparate word-structures so that for the mind the cumulative result of skyscrapers for the eye when looked on through a mist. Such a theory might be called cubism in poetry. We suggested the possibility of a theory of poetry which "The Bridge" may have been written to exemplify. In five parts "Cutty Sark" and "Cape Hatteras," which impinges on the sea three so-called "Songs," one of which pictures a burlesque show in New York "Quaker Hill," in which Isadora Duncan andĮmily Dickinson are brought together "The Tunnel," which is the New York subway, and an epilogue, "Atlantis." Following a dedication to Brooklyn Bridge there is "Ave Maria," a poem in which Columbus is represented as soliloquizing on the deck of his flagship then the "Powhatan's Daughter" O Princess whose brown lap was virgin May Īnd bridal flanks and eyes hid tawny pride.Ī word should be said as to the divisions of the poem. There was veil upon you, Pocahontas, bride. There was a bed of leaves, and broken play
Now lies incorrigibly what years between. Greeting they sped us, on the arrow's oath: He holds the twilight's dim, perpetual throne.ĭisturbed and destined into denser green. Where prayers, forgotten, streamed the mesa sands! With mineral wariness found out the stone And in the Autumn drought, whose burnished hands The excerpt, as was the stanza above, is from a section bearing the caption "Powhatan's Daughter," and this part has the further
Poetry behind "The Bridge," a question which may be taken up after further quotation. It is possible that there is a new theory of But perhaps clearness, in the usual acceptance of the term, is not desired by Hart Crane. The present commentator is willing to admit that it is not clear to him. Perhaps this stanza is clear to the author.
She sprouted arms she rose with maize - to die. She ran the neighing canyons all the Spring Who squired the glacier woman down the sky! That is to say, it possesses a purely specious effectiveness, for it has neither Siphoned the black pool from the heart's hot root.Īnd although the following seems immensely effective, its effectiveness will be found on analysis, to lie in its lack of intelligibility rather than in its intelligibility. For an example, there is but a tour de force in the line. But the point of issue will be whether the poet, in seeking individuality for his poem, has not sacrificed contacts withīoth common sense and beauty. It will be concluded from this that "The Bridge" is out of the ordinary, both in substance and manner. Present, which may be termed particularly American." "Dedicated to Brooklyn Bridge," the paragraph runs, "this poem is a synthesis of values, past and Note on the jacket - the publisher's "grace" note we were tempted to call it - states one point of view. "The Bridge" is certain to evoke praise and in a measure deservedly. It will be recalled, is the author of the collection "White Buildings," poems which called forth praise from Eugene O'Neill. Here is certain to be no unanimity of opinion on "The Bridge," a long poem which we imagine the writer would like to have called a symphonic poem. Hart Crane's Cubistic Poetry in 'The Bridge'ĪpHart Crane's Cubistic Poetry in 'The Bridge' By PERCY HUTCHINSON
0 kommentar(er)
