Original Poem：
eviction people arrive to haunt me
with descriptions of summer’s wildflowers
how they are carpet of fierce colors
I bet you hate to see us they say and yes
I do hate to have to move again especially from here
destruction brought to place of love
the uneven smiles that win she’s a business woman
blond tints that glow at sunset as profits rise
alas what labor I employ
but to ensure a moment’s joy
sets branches trembling & arms chilled
dear one long returning home, come to
clammy feverish details, muffed sorrow
I turn to throw a tear of rage in the pot
never remorse but hint of scruples I’d hope for
it is error it is speculation it is real estate
it is the villain and comic slippery words
the work of despotic wills to make money
I scream take it take your money! make your money
go on it’s only money, here’s a wall of dry rot
here’s an unfinished ceiling, just a little sunlight
peeks through this (lark, no luminance! exquisite St. Etienne
stove doesn’t work icebox either too hot or frozen
firescreen tumbling down
kitchen insulation droops is ugly & a mess
ah but love it here, only surface appearances
to complain of, nothing does justice
to shape of actual events I love
but a fight against artificiality
its inherent antagonism, bald hatred of moving
and problem of thirsty fig tree in Burroughs
apartment wakes me I don’t want to go down there yet
& how to orchestrate the summer properly
the problem of distress & not denying pride from it
too atomized to make pleasure of melancholy
& an uncontrollable enthusiasm for throne & altar
I want to sit high want simple phalanx
of power independent of everything but free will
& one long hymn in praise of the cabin!
it is a confession in me impenetrably walled in
like aesthetics like cosmos an organ of
metaphysics and O this book gives me a headache
dear Weston La Barre let’s have an argument
because I see too clearly how rational I must be &
the kernel of my faith corrupted
because you have no reliance on the shaman & outlaw
or how depth of mind might be staggering
everywhere except in how important science is
science? no he won’t he fooled by visions
whereas I wait for dazzling UFOs they announce
will arrive high in these mountains
I repair the portal even invite stray horses in
have a little toy receiving station
that sits by the bed
at the edge of night all thoughts to place of love
all worries to this place of love
all gestures to the place of love
all agonies to place of love, thaws to place
of love, swarthy valley sealed
in wood, log burst into flame
in home of love, all heart’s dints
and machinations, all bellows & pungency
antemundane thoughts to palace of love
all liberties, singularity, all imaginings
I weep for, Jack’s sweet almond-eyed daughter to
place of love, & heavy blankets
and terracing & yard work & patch work
& tenacity & the best in you
surround me work in me to place my love
dear cirques, clear constraint, dissenting
inclinations of a man and a woman, Metonic cycle
all that sweats in rooms, lives in nature
requiems & momentum & trimmings of bushes
dried hibiscus & hawks & shyness
brought to this place of love
trees rooted fear rooted all roots brought
to place of love, mystery to heart of love
& fibers
and fibers in sphere of love a whole world makes
spectators of slow flowering of spring
& summer when you walk to town for eggs
and continuous hammerings as new people
arrive & today we notice for first time
a white-crowned sparrow out by the feeder
with the chickadees & juncos & I missed
that airplane-dinosaur in dream nervous
to travel again, miss buds pop open
to shudder in breeze, their tractability
makes sudden rise of sensibility you are
shuddering too & your boy laugh
comes less frequent now you’re drawn into
accountability, will I return to find all
stuff tidy in silver truck
ready to go? it’s you in this place I lose
most because it’s here in you I forget
where I am, this place for supernaturals
perched high in sky & wind, held by wind in stationary
motion as bluebird we observe over meadow or caught
up with jetstream dipping in valley’s soft cradle
power & light & heat & radiance of head it takes
power & light & heat & radiance of head it takes to
make it work while
down there someone building replicas of what
it feels like to be a human multitude, fantasy
molded clumsily, spare my loves
and love of glorious architecture when you really put
outside in, the feeling of cloud or mountain
or stone
having developed an idea of idyllic private life
& sovereignty of spirit over common
empirical demand
I tell you about renunciation, I tell you holy
isolation like a river nears ocean to
dissolve
and cabin becomes someone’s idea of a good place
discretion you pay for it wasn’t mine either
but sits on me imprints on me
forever splendor of fog, snow shut strangers out
gradual turn of season, ground stir, pine
needle tickle your shoulder, peak curve, fresh air.
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This evocative poem explores the emotional turmoil and resistance experienced by someone facing eviction from a beloved home. The speaker is haunted by the arrival of eviction agents and the painful descriptions of the natural beauty—summer wildflowers, fierce colors—that contrast sharply with the destruction of a cherished place. The poem captures the conflict between love for a home and the harsh realities of economic forces and real estate speculation.
The speaker expresses deep frustration and anger at having to move, especially from a place filled with memories and love. Despite the physical decay and imperfections of the home—dry rot, unfinished ceilings, broken appliances—the emotional attachment remains strong. The poem also touches on themes of displacement, loss, and the fight against artificiality in a world driven by profit.
There is a strong sense of longing for stability and freedom, symbolized by the cabin and the desire for a "simple phalanx of power independent of everything but free will." The poem also references metaphysical and spiritual ideas, contrasting rational science with visions and faith in the mysterious or supernatural.
The imagery of nature—fig trees, birds, seasons changing—invokes the passage of time and the persistence of life despite human struggles. The poem ends with a tender connection to love, family, and the natural world, emphasizing resilience and hope amid hardship.
Background and Author Introduction
While the poem itself does not specify its author, its themes and style suggest a contemporary poet deeply engaged with issues of urban displacement, environmental awareness, and metaphysical reflection. The poem likely arises from a personal or observed experience of eviction, a common issue in many communities facing gentrification and real estate pressures.
The author demonstrates a unique blend of lyrical expression and social critique, weaving together personal emotion, political commentary, and philosophical inquiry. Such poetry often emerges from a tradition of writers who use their craft to document and resist social injustices, while also celebrating the beauty and complexity of human life and nature.
Reflections and Insights
Reading this poem invites us to reflect on the human cost of economic development and the importance of place and memory in our lives. It challenges us to consider how we value homes—not just as physical structures, but as repositories of love, history, and identity.
The poem also encourages embracing complexity: the coexistence of joy and sorrow, hope and despair, science and spirituality. It reminds us that even in difficult times, there is room for beauty, connection, and the pursuit of freedom.
Educational Value and Learning Points
For children and students, this poem offers multiple learning opportunities:
- Vocabulary and Imagery: Students can explore vivid descriptive language such as "carpet of fierce colors," "dry rot," and "swarthy valley," enhancing their understanding of metaphor and sensory detail.
- Themes: The poem introduces important social themes like displacement, environmental change, and resilience, fostering empathy and critical thinking.
- Emotional Expression: It models how poetry can express complex feelings like anger, love, and nostalgia.
- Nature and Seasons: The references to birds, plants, and seasonal changes provide a natural science connection.
- Philosophical Ideas: Older students can discuss the tension between rationality and faith, and the role of science versus spirituality.
Practical Applications
- Writing Practice: Students can write their own poems or essays about a place they love or a time they experienced change.
- Discussion: The poem can prompt conversations about community, housing, and environmental stewardship.
- Art Integration: Drawing or painting scenes inspired by the poem’s imagery can deepen comprehension.
- Science Link: Observing local birds or plants mentioned can connect literature to biology.
Challenges and Focus Areas
- Understanding abstract concepts like metaphysics and the poem’s spiritual references may require guided explanation.
- The poem’s complex structure and shifting tone can be challenging; breaking it into sections helps comprehension.
- Emphasizing the emotional core helps students relate personally to the poem.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- What emotions does the speaker express about being evicted from their home?
- How does the poem describe the contrast between the home’s physical condition and the speaker’s feelings about it?
- What role does nature play in the poem?
- How does the poem portray the conflict between economic forces and personal attachment?
- What does the speaker mean by wanting “a simple phalanx of power independent of everything but free will”?
- How does the poem incorporate ideas about science and spirituality?
- Why does the speaker say “it’s only money” when referring to the eviction?
- What images in the poem suggest hope or resilience despite hardship?
Answers
- The speaker feels anger, sadness, frustration, and a deep sense of loss about having to move.
- Although the home has physical problems like dry rot and broken appliances, the speaker still loves it deeply and values the memories it holds.
- Nature symbolizes continuity, beauty, and the passage of time, providing comfort and connection amid change.
- The poem shows economic forces as destructive and impersonal, while personal attachment is emotional and resistant.
- The speaker desires autonomy and freedom, a power based on free will rather than external control.
- The poem contrasts rational science with faith in visions and the supernatural, highlighting a tension between different ways of understanding the world.
- The phrase “it’s only money” expresses the speaker’s bitterness and rejection of the idea that financial gain justifies destroying a home.
- Images like the blossoming wildflowers, birds at the feeder, and the burning log in the home symbolize persistence and hope.
This poem is a rich resource for exploring language, emotion, social issues, and philosophy. It encourages readers to appreciate the complexity of human experience and the profound meaning of place and love.
