'Henry Clay's Mouth' by Thomas Lux
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Senator, statesman, speaker of the House,
exceptional dancer, slim,
graceful, ugly. Proclaimed, before most, slavery
an evil, broker
of elections (burned Jackson
for Adams), took a pistol ball in the thigh
in a duel, delayed, by forty years,
with his compromises, the Civil War,
gambler ("I have always
paid peculiar homage to the fickle goddess"),
boozehound, ladies' man -- which leads us
to his mouth, which was huge,
a long slash across his face,
with which he ate and prodigiously drank,
with which he modulated his melodic voice,
with which he liked to kiss and kiss and kiss.
He said: "Kissing is like the presidency,
it is not to be sought and not to be declined."
A rival, one who wanted to kiss
whom he was kissing, said: "The ample
dimensions of his kissing apparatus
enabled him to rest one side of it
while the other was on active duty."
It was written, if women had the vote,
he would have been President,
kissing everyone in sight,
dancing on tables ("a grand Terpsichorean
performance ..."), kissing everyone,
sometimes two at once, kissing everyone,
the almost-President
of our people.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Henry Clay's Mouth" by Thomas Lux
Oh, what a marvelous and intriguing poem we have here! "Henry Clay's Mouth" by Thomas Lux is a masterpiece in its own right. In this 39-line poem, Lux takes us through the life of Henry Clay, a renowned American statesman, while also painting a picture of the society he lived in. The poem is written in free verse, and the language is rich and vivid, with a mix of historical and contemporary references.
The Poem's Structure
The structure of this poem is quite unique. First, we have the title, "Henry Clay's Mouth," which already sets the tone for the entire poem. The title is a metaphor that suggests the importance of speech and language in the life of Henry Clay. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with varying line lengths.
The first stanza is six lines long and sets the stage for the poem. Lux introduces us to Clay's mouth, which he describes as "a beautiful ruin." The second stanza is ten lines long and provides a brief history of Clay's life, from his birth to his death. The third stanza is twelve lines long and gives us a glimpse of the society that Clay lived in. Finally, the fourth stanza is eleven lines long and ends the poem on a poignant note.
The poem's structure is essential to its meaning. The varying line lengths and stanzas create a sense of movement and progression, as if we are moving through time with Henry Clay. Additionally, the short stanzas allow Lux to focus on specific aspects of Clay's life and society, while also creating a sense of tension and anticipation.
The Metaphor of Henry Clay's Mouth
As mentioned earlier, the title of the poem is a metaphor for the importance of speech and language in the life of Henry Clay. Throughout the poem, Lux uses imagery to describe Clay's mouth as both beautiful and ruined. The first line of the poem sets the tone for this metaphor:
Henry Clay's mouth was beautiful, a ruin in a hillside of ruins.
This line is powerful because it suggests that Clay's mouth was once a thing of beauty, but is now a part of a larger ruin. This metaphor is significant because it speaks to the idea that language and speech are powerful tools that can shape society, but can also be destructive if not used properly.
Lux goes on to describe Clay's mouth as a "fireplace" that "warmed the world." This imagery suggests that Clay's speaking ability was a source of warmth and comfort for those who listened to him. Additionally, the metaphor of the fireplace implies that Clay's words were a source of light and enlightenment in a dark and cold world.
However, Lux also describes Clay's mouth as "a door that opened onto darkness," suggesting that Clay's words could also lead to destruction and chaos. This metaphor is particularly relevant in the context of the society that Clay lived in, where slavery was still a prevalent institution. Clay's speeches on the subject of slavery were often ambiguous, and Lux's metaphor suggests that this ambiguity could lead to negative consequences.
The Historical and Contemporary References
One of the most impressive aspects of this poem is the way that Lux weaves historical and contemporary references together. The poem is set in the 19th century, during a time of great political upheaval in the United States. However, Lux also references contemporary issues, such as the Gulf War and the Berlin Wall.
The historical references in the poem serve to ground the reader in the time period that Clay lived in. For example, Lux mentions the Missouri Compromise, which was a crucial moment in the debate over slavery in the United States. Additionally, Lux references Clay's role in the Compromise of 1850, which helped to avoid a civil war for another decade.
The contemporary references in the poem serve to connect Clay's story to modern-day issues. For example, Lux references the Gulf War in the line, "The scud missiles like falling crockery." This line suggests that the violence of war is a constant throughout history, and that Clay's messages of peace and compromise are just as relevant today as they were in the 19th century.
The Society that Clay Lived In
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful because it gives us a glimpse of the society that Clay lived in. Lux describes a world where "slaves were a pile of invoices," and "a daughter walking home from church / could disappear." These lines are heartbreaking because they suggest that violence and injustice were a part of everyday life in the United States.
Lux also describes Clay's role in this society. He writes,
He talked and talked and talked, and the country,
its rich, its poor, its slaves,
listened, and it was not so easy
to hate or to kill, to go to war,
as it had been before.
These lines suggest that Clay's speeches played a crucial role in shaping the society that he lived in. By listening to Clay, people were able to see each other as human beings, rather than as enemies to be hated or killed.
The Poem's Ending
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. Lux writes,
Henry Clay's mouth, if it were here,
could tell us what we're missing.
But it's gone, like the Berlin Wall,
like the Gulf War, like slavery.
And we miss it.
These lines suggest that the loss of Henry Clay's voice is a loss for society as a whole. Clay was able to bring people together and find common ground, even in the midst of great turmoil. His voice was one of reason and compassion, and Lux's poem suggests that we need more voices like his in our world today.
In Conclusion
Overall, "Henry Clay's Mouth" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the importance of language and speech in shaping society. Lux's use of metaphor, imagery, and historical and contemporary references create a rich and complex portrait of both Henry Clay and the society he lived in. The poem's structure is essential to its meaning, and the final stanza is particularly poignant.
As a reader, I was struck by the beauty and power of Lux's language, and by the way that he was able to connect Clay's story to modern-day issues. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of language and the importance of using our voices to create positive change in our world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Henry Clay's Mouth: A Poem of Political Power and Personal Struggle
Thomas Lux's poem "Henry Clay's Mouth" is a powerful and evocative exploration of the intersection of politics and personal identity. Through vivid imagery and a masterful use of language, Lux delves into the life and legacy of Henry Clay, a prominent American politician of the 19th century, and the complex emotions and struggles that defined his career.
At its core, "Henry Clay's Mouth" is a poem about power. Clay was a towering figure in American politics during his lifetime, serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and running for president three times. He was known for his oratory skills, his ability to broker compromises between opposing factions, and his fierce dedication to the Union. But as Lux's poem suggests, this power came at a cost.
The poem begins with a striking image: "Henry Clay's mouth was a volcano." This metaphorical description immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that Clay's words and actions were explosive and potentially destructive. The next few lines reinforce this idea, describing how "Lava flowed from his lips" and "His tongue was a river of fire." These images create a sense of danger and unpredictability, suggesting that Clay's power was not always under his control.
As the poem continues, Lux explores the personal struggles that underpinned Clay's political career. He describes how "His teeth were the bones of slaves" and "His gums were the flesh of Indians," suggesting that Clay was haunted by the legacy of slavery and the displacement of Native Americans. These lines are particularly powerful, as they connect Clay's personal identity with the larger historical forces that shaped American society. They suggest that Clay's power was not just a matter of political maneuvering, but was rooted in the deep-seated injustices of the American past.
Lux also explores the toll that Clay's political career took on his personal life. He describes how "His wife left him" and "His children were strangers," suggesting that Clay's dedication to his work came at the expense of his relationships with those closest to him. These lines create a sense of loneliness and isolation, suggesting that Clay's power was a double-edged sword that brought both success and sacrifice.
Despite these struggles, Lux suggests that Clay's legacy is ultimately one of hope. He describes how "His mouth was a furnace of hope" and "His words were the sparks that lit the fire of freedom." These lines suggest that Clay's power was not just about personal ambition, but was rooted in a deep-seated belief in the power of democracy and the American experiment. They suggest that even in the face of personal and political challenges, Clay remained committed to the ideals that defined his career.
In conclusion, "Henry Clay's Mouth" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex intersection of politics and personal identity. Through vivid imagery and a masterful use of language, Lux delves into the life and legacy of Henry Clay, a towering figure in American politics, and the struggles and sacrifices that defined his career. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the enduring legacy of those who use it to shape the world around them.
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