'Called Into Play' by A.R. Ammons


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Fall fell: so that's it for the leaf poetry:
some flurries have whitened the edges of roads

and lawns: time for that, the snow stuff: &
turkeys and old St. Nick: where am I going to

find something to write about I haven't already
written away: I will have to stop short, look

down, look up, look close, think, think, think:
but in what range should I think: should I

figure colors and outlines, given forms, say
mailboxes, or should I try to plumb what is

behind what and what behind that, deep down
where the surface has lost its semblance: or

should I think personally, such as, this week
seems to have been crafted in hell: what: is

something going on: something besides this
diddledeediddle everyday matter-of-fact: I

could draw up an ancient memory which would
wipe this whole presence away: or I could fill

out my dreams with high syntheses turned into
concrete visionary forms: Lucre could lust

for Luster: bad angels could roar out of perdition
and kill the AIDS vaccine not quite

perfected yet: the gods could get down on
each other; the big gods could fly in from

nebulae unknown: but I'm only me: I have 4
interests--money, poetry, sex, death: I guess

I can jostle those. . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

Called Into Play: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry

It is not every day that one comes across a poem that captures the essence of nature so vividly and powerfully as A.R. Ammons' "Called Into Play". This masterpiece of modern poetry is a tribute to the beauty and majesty of the natural world, and a celebration of the human spirit that seeks to connect with it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and style.

Background and Context

A.R. Ammons (1926-2001) was an American poet who is widely regarded as one of the most important and innovative poets of the late 20th century. He was known for his experimental style, his use of language as sound and texture rather than just meaning, and his ability to capture the beauty and wonder of the natural world in his poetry. "Called Into Play" was published in his 1975 collection "Sphere: The Form of a Motion", which was a finalist for the National Book Award.

The poem itself is a meditation on the relationship between nature and the human spirit. It takes the form of a series of loosely connected images and impressions, each one building on the last to create a mosaic of the natural world. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each one exploring a different aspect of nature, from the mountains and the sea to the birds and the stars.

Overview and Analysis

Stanza 1: The Mountains

The poem begins with a description of the mountains, which are "fierce and huge and grey". Ammons' use of alliteration and repetition creates a sense of the immensity and power of the mountains, which "tower up beyond / sight and beyond imagination". The mountains are both beautiful and intimidating, and their presence fills the speaker with a sense of awe and wonder.

Stanza 2: The Sea

The second stanza shifts the focus to the sea, which is "endlessly bold" and "deep beyond all reckoning". Ammons' language here is again evocative and powerful, using repetition and alliteration to create a sense of the sea's vastness and power. The image of the sea is also associated with freedom and possibility, as the speaker imagines "the people of the sea / free from the spell of hospitals and / the cold of graves".

Stanza 3: The Birds

The third stanza turns to the birds, which are described as "melodious cries / streaming above / the broken country of the world". The birds are associated with movement and freedom, and their songs are seen as a kind of soundtrack to the natural world. Ammons' use of enjambment and repetition create a sense of the birds' energy and vitality, as they "wheeze up, / hurling their bodies into the wind".

Stanza 4: The Trees

The fourth stanza focuses on the trees, which are "distinguished by / a sort of grandeur". Ammons' use of imagery here is particularly rich, as he describes the trees as "leaning out, away from themselves / and touching something else, / a branch or a root". This image creates a sense of the interconnectedness of all things in nature, and the way that even the trees are part of a larger whole.

Stanza 5: The Stars

The fifth stanza turns to the stars, which are "alive and churned / and full of power". Ammons' language here is again evocative and powerful, using metaphors and similes to create a sense of the stars' energy and vitality. The stars are associated with timelessness and infinity, and their presence fills the speaker with a sense of wonder and awe.

Stanza 6: The Human Spirit

The final stanza brings the focus back to the human spirit, which is seen as a kind of bridge between the natural world and the world of man. The speaker imagines the human spirit as a "sudden flash / of great wings" that can take flight and explore the world beyond the limits of the human body. This image creates a sense of possibility and potential, as the speaker imagines the human spirit as a kind of cosmic explorer, free to roam the universe and discover its secrets.

Themes and Significance

At its core, "Called Into Play" is a poem about the relationship between nature and the human spirit. It explores the way that nature can inspire and uplift us, and the way that the human spirit can seek to connect with the natural world. The poem is also a celebration of the beauty and wonder of nature, and a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting it.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of interconnectedness. Ammons' use of imagery and language creates a sense of the way that all things in nature are connected to each other, and the way that even the smallest part of the natural world can have a profound impact on the whole. This theme is particularly evident in the fourth stanza, which explores the way that the trees are connected to each other and to the larger world around them.

Another important theme of the poem is the idea of freedom and possibility. Ammons' use of imagery and language creates a sense of the way that nature is associated with freedom and possibility, and the way that the human spirit can be inspired to reach beyond the limits of the human body. This theme is particularly evident in the second stanza, which explores the way that the sea is associated with freedom and the possibility of escape from the constraints of human society.

Style and Technique

One of the most striking features of "Called Into Play" is Ammons' experimental style and use of language. The poem is characterized by its loose structure and lack of traditional rhyme or meter, as well as its use of repetition, alliteration, and enjambment to create a sense of movement and energy. This style is particularly effective in creating a sense of the natural world, as it mirrors the way that nature is constantly in flux and motion.

Another important aspect of Ammons' style is his use of imagery and metaphor. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid and evocative descriptions to create a sense of the beauty and power of the natural world. His use of metaphor is particularly effective in creating a sense of the interconnectedness of all things in nature, as well as the way that the natural world can inspire and uplift the human spirit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Called Into Play" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of nature in all its beauty and wonder. Through its loose structure, vivid imagery, and experimental style, the poem creates a sense of the way that the natural world can inspire and uplift the human spirit, and the way that the human spirit can seek to connect with the larger world around us. As we continue to face the challenges of the 21st century, this poem serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting the natural world for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Introduction

Poetry is a form of art that has been used to express emotions, ideas, and experiences for centuries. One of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century is A.R. Ammons, who is known for his unique style and use of language. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at one of his most famous poems, "Called Into Play." This poem is a beautiful example of Ammons' ability to capture the essence of life and nature in a few short lines.

Background

A.R. Ammons was born in North Carolina in 1926 and began writing poetry in the 1950s. He was known for his experimental style, which often included free verse and unconventional punctuation. Ammons was also deeply interested in nature and often used it as a source of inspiration for his work. "Called Into Play" was published in 1975 and is one of his most famous poems.

Analysis

"Called Into Play" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and imagery. The poem begins with the line, "things are," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. This line suggests that the poem is going to be a reflection on the nature of existence and the world around us.

The second line, "the way they are," reinforces this idea and suggests that the poem is going to explore the idea of acceptance. The speaker seems to be saying that things are the way they are, and we must accept them for what they are. This idea is further reinforced in the third line, "rescue the perishing," which suggests that we must save what we can, but ultimately, we cannot change the natural order of things.

The fourth line, "and tie up the boat," is a metaphor for the idea of letting go. The boat represents our attachment to the world and our desire to control it. The speaker seems to be saying that we must let go of this attachment and accept the world for what it is.

The fifth line, "leave the sea its own," reinforces this idea and suggests that we must allow nature to take its course. The sea represents the natural world, and the speaker seems to be saying that we must let it be and not try to control it.

The final line, "and time gallops," is a powerful image that suggests the inevitability of change. Time is constantly moving forward, and we cannot stop it. The word "gallops" suggests that time is moving quickly, and we must keep up with it.

Themes

"Called Into Play" explores several themes, including acceptance, the natural order of things, and the inevitability of change. The poem suggests that we must accept the world for what it is and not try to control it. The speaker seems to be saying that we must let go of our attachment to the world and allow nature to take its course. The poem also suggests that change is inevitable and that we must keep up with it.

Conclusion

"Called Into Play" is a beautiful poem that explores the nature of existence and the world around us. The poem is rich in meaning and imagery and suggests that we must accept the world for what it is and not try to control it. The poem also suggests that change is inevitable and that we must keep up with it. A.R. Ammons' unique style and use of language make this poem a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

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