'Forest Of Europe' by Derek Walcott
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The last leaves fell like notes from a piano
and left their ovals echoing in the ear;
with gawky music stands, the winter forest
looks like an empty orchestra, its lines
ruled on these scattered manuscripts of snow.The inlaid copper laurel of an oak
shines though the brown-bricked glass above your head
as bright as whisky, while the wintry breath
of lines from Mandelstam, which you recite,
uncoils as visibly as cigarette smoke."The rustling of ruble notes by the lemon Neva."
Under your exile's tongue, crisp under heel,
the gutturals crackle like decaying leaves,
the phrase from Mandelstam circles with light
in a brown room, in barren Oklahoma.There is a Gulag Archipelago
under this ice, where the salt, mineral spring
of the long Trail of Tears runnels these plains
as hard and open as a herdsman's face
sun-cracked and stubbled with unshaven snow.Growing in whispers from the Writers' Congress,
the snow circles like cossacks round the corpse
of a tired Choctaw till it is a blizzard
of treaties and white papers as we lose
sight of the single human through the cause.So every spring these branches load their shelves,
like libraries with newly published leaves,
till waste recycles them-paper to snow-
but, at zero of suffering, one mind
lasts like this oak with a few brazen leaves.As the train passed the forest's tortured icons,
ths floes clanging like freight yards, then the spires
of frozen tears, the stations screeching steam,
he drew them in a single winters' breath
whose freezing consonants turned into stone.He saw the poetry in forlorn stations
under clouds vast as Asia, through districts
that could gulp Oklahoma like a grape,
not these tree-shaded prairie halts but space
so desolate it mocked destinations.Who is that dark child on the parapets
of Europe, watching the evening river mint
its sovereigns stamped with power, not with poets,
the Thames and the Neva rustling like banknotes,
then, black on gold, the Hudson's silhouettes?>From frozen Neva to the Hudson pours,
under the airport domes, the echoing stations,
the tributary of emigrants whom exile
has made as classless as the common cold,
citizens of a language that is now yours,and every February, every "last autumn",
you write far from the threshing harvesters
folding wheat like a girl plaiting her hair,
far from Russia's canals quivering with sunstroke,
a man living with English in one room.The tourist archipelagoes of my South
are prisons too, corruptible, and though
there is no harder prison than writing verse,
what's poetry, if it is worth its salt,
but a phrase men can pass from hand to mouth?>From hand to mouth, across the centuries,
the bread that lasts when systems have decayed,
when, in his forest of barbed-wire branches,
a prisoner circles, chewing the one phrase
whose music will last longer than the leaves,whose condensation is the marble sweat
of angels' foreheads, which will never dry
till Borealis shuts the peacock lights
of its slow fan from L.A. to Archangel,
and memory needs nothing to repeat.Frightened and starved, with divine fever
Osip Mandelstam shook, and every
metaphor shuddered him with ague,
each vowel heavier than a boundary stone,
"to the rustling of ruble notes by the lemon Neva,"but now that fever is a fire whose glow
warms our hands, Joseph, as we grunt like primates
exchanging gutturals in this wintry cave
of a brown cottage, while in drifts outside
mastodons force their systems through the snow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Forest Of Europe: An Exploration of Identity and Heritage
Derek Walcott's "Forest of Europe" is an epic poem that explores the complex relationship between the Caribbean and Europe. The poem is a masterpiece of contemporary literature that captures the essence of the Caribbean people's struggle to reconcile their heritage with the cultural hegemony of Europe.
Walcott's epic poem is a journey of self-discovery, an exploration of the roots that shape the Caribbean identity. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores different aspects of the Caribbean's relationship with Europe. The first part is an evocative description of the Caribbean landscape, with its lush forests and sparkling seas. The second part delves into the history of the Caribbean, from its colonization by Europe to the present day. The third part is a meditation on the Caribbean identity, its struggles, and its triumphs.
The Caribbean Landscape
The first part of "Forest of Europe" is an ode to the Caribbean landscape. Walcott captures the beauty and majesty of the region, with its lush forests and pristine beaches. He describes the "green gold" of the forest, the "bright froth" of the sea, and the "broken coral" of the shore. The imagery is powerful and evocative, transporting the reader to this idyllic paradise.
But beneath the surface beauty lies a deeper truth. Walcott hints at the darker side of the Caribbean, the history of slavery and colonialism that has shaped the region. He describes the forest as "a past that has not passed," a reminder of the violence and injustice that has been inflicted on the Caribbean people.
The History of the Caribbean
In the second part of the poem, Walcott delves into the history of the Caribbean. He traces the region's colonization by Europe, the slave trade, and the struggle for independence. Walcott does not shy away from the brutal realities of the Caribbean's past. He describes the "black screams" of slaves and the "white heat" of the colonial oppressors.
But Walcott also celebrates the resilience and strength of the Caribbean people. He writes of "the iron in the fire," the determination and courage that has allowed the Caribbean to survive and thrive despite centuries of oppression. He celebrates the heroes of the Caribbean, from Toussaint L'Ouverture to Marcus Garvey, who have fought for freedom and justice.
The Caribbean Identity
The third part of the poem is a meditation on the Caribbean identity. Walcott explores the tension between the Caribbean's African and European heritage, between its colonial past and its present-day reality. He writes of the "fatal gift" of European culture, which has both enriched and impoverished the Caribbean.
Walcott also celebrates the Caribbean's unique identity, its music and art, its language and culture. He writes of the "joyous voices" that fill the Caribbean air, of the "rhythmic flow" of Caribbean life.
But Walcott also acknowledges the challenges that face the Caribbean. He writes of the "painful pride" of the Caribbean people, their struggle to reconcile their heritage with the demands of modernity. He acknowledges the difficulties of forging a new identity in a world that often dismisses the Caribbean as a mere tourist destination.
Conclusion
"Forest of Europe" is a masterpiece of contemporary literature. It is a powerful exploration of the Caribbean identity, its struggles and its triumphs. Walcott's use of language and imagery is stunning, transporting the reader to the lush forests and sparkling seas of the Caribbean. But beneath the surface beauty lies a deeper truth, a history of violence and oppression that has shaped the Caribbean identity.
Walcott celebrates the resilience and strength of the Caribbean people, their determination to forge a new identity in a rapidly changing world. He acknowledges the challenges that face the Caribbean, the tension between its heritage and its modern reality. But ultimately, Walcott's message is one of hope, of the joyous voices that fill the Caribbean air, of the iron in the fire that has allowed the Caribbean to survive and thrive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Forest of Europe: A Masterpiece by Derek Walcott
Derek Walcott, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, playwright, and essayist, is known for his evocative and powerful works that explore themes of identity, history, and culture. One of his most celebrated poems, "Poetry Forest of Europe," is a stunning tribute to the rich literary tradition of Europe and its enduring influence on the world.
At its core, "Poetry Forest of Europe" is a meditation on the power of language and the role of poetry in shaping our understanding of the world. The poem opens with a vivid description of a forest, which serves as a metaphor for the vast and complex landscape of European literature:
"In the forest of Europe, the trees are very old, and you are young. You walk into the forest, and the leaves sing with a thousand voices, the dark trees, the dark language of the forest."
Walcott's use of imagery here is striking, as he paints a picture of a forest that is both ancient and alive, a place where the past and present converge. The "thousand voices" of the leaves suggest the many different literary traditions that have grown and flourished in Europe over the centuries, while the "dark language" of the forest hints at the complexity and depth of these traditions.
As the poem progresses, Walcott explores the ways in which European literature has shaped our understanding of the world and our place in it. He writes:
"Europe, you are the casket of our history, the casket of our dreams, the casket of our illusions. You are the mirror of our past, the mirror of our future, the mirror of our present, the mirror of our soul."
Here, Walcott is acknowledging the profound influence that European literature has had on the world, both in terms of its historical impact and its ongoing relevance. He suggests that Europe is not just a repository of the past, but also a reflection of our hopes and aspirations for the future.
Throughout the poem, Walcott weaves together a rich tapestry of literary references, drawing on the works of Shakespeare, Dante, Goethe, and many others. He celebrates the diversity and richness of European literature, while also acknowledging its darker aspects:
"Europe, you are the land of the Inquisition, the land of the Holocaust, the land of the Crusades, the land of the slave trade, the land of the colonial empires."
By acknowledging the darker aspects of European history, Walcott is not seeking to condemn or vilify Europe, but rather to acknowledge the complex and often contradictory nature of its literary tradition. He recognizes that European literature has been shaped by both triumph and tragedy, and that it is this complexity that gives it its enduring power.
At the heart of "Poetry Forest of Europe" is a celebration of the transformative power of poetry. Walcott writes:
"Poetry is the forest of language, the forest of metaphor, the forest of meaning. Poetry is the forest of the soul, the forest of the heart, the forest of the mind."
For Walcott, poetry is not just a form of artistic expression, but a way of understanding and engaging with the world. It is through poetry that we are able to explore the deepest aspects of our humanity, to connect with others, and to transcend the limitations of our individual experience.
In conclusion, "Poetry Forest of Europe" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a rich and complex exploration of the power of language and the enduring influence of European literature. Through his use of vivid imagery, rich literary references, and profound insights, Walcott has created a work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and complexity of the written word, "Poetry Forest of Europe" is a work that is sure to inspire and captivate you.
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