This is an extremely powerful poem and Koch has done a beautiful job of incorporating all of the overlooked aspects of life in such a relatable way. Koch's imagery and diction is not overwhelming and extremely colorful, but it fits the poem in a way that any listener can connect on all levels, and that is what makes it extraordinary. Humor is incorporated by Koch, in the line, "In a family one sister may conceal another,/so, when you are courting, it is best to have them all in view" (line 8-9). At first glance, Koch is mentioning simplistic things, such as the dog concealing another dog or an identical twin hiding another. As the poem moves forward, it becomes clear that Koch is utilizing these examples as metaphors for a bigger life picture. Koch is aiming to relay the message that a first glance conceals the glances of many that you will not see if you don't pause to look twice, or three times, or maybe even a hundred times--this idea is portrayed in the powerful, final lines of the poem. Koch mentions love several times throughout this poem, first discussing how a father or brother could hide the man you're waiting to love, if you are a woman. Koch also says that "one love may hide another love, as when "I love you" suddenly rings false and one discovers the better love is lingering behind" (line 44-47). I think this is one of the strongest statements within the poem as it discusses something that I think everyone can relate to.
Koch alludes to several different subjects throughout the poem. The first is the "Appia Antica" (line 17-18) which is a road in Rome that the "followers of Spartacus were crucified" and also where "St. Peter is said to have met Jesus" (romefile.com). Gertrude Stein, a famous poet, is used in a simile to life, "Life is incredibly complex, as in the prose of Gertrude Stein" (line 26). Koch mentions the "Valley of the Var" (line 34), a spot in France--in this line Koch shares a personal piece of information with his listeners, "We used to live there, my wife and I, but one hid another life. And now she is gone and I am here" (line 34-35). Koch makes religious allusions to the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and Jerusalem. He also mentions Matisse, a famous painter. The two books Koch mentions, "A Sentimental Journey" and "Tristam Shandy" are both stories that have no plot. In "A Sentimental Journey", there is a journey with no destination. In "Tristam Shandy", there is a hero who goes off on tangents and the story never goes anywhere. I wonder why he mentions these two books which are so similar in plot. Finally, Koch makes one last reference to the Santa Maria Maggiore--one of the major pieces of the papacy. I think Koch's goal in alluding to these major figures in the world and history is to show that no matter how large or small, no matter how important or unimportant something seems, it is always important to pause, and taking a glance behind what first comes to your eye.
Hearing Koch read his poem was so powerful to me. I felt this way with the Langston Hughes blog as well. It is so moving to hear a poet relay his work the way he would want his listeners to hear it, read it, and picture it. Koch reading the poem painted a much more beautiful picture and message than the one I would have received if I had just read it on my own. I think hearing a poet read their work is such an important and moving part of the artwork they create.
Citations:
Gertrude Stein. poets.org. July 15, 2011.
Via Appia Antica. romefile.com. July 15, 2011.
Tristam Shandy. elab.com. July 15, 2011.
Kenneth Koch's voice is friendly and conversational; it has a calming effect and, because he wrote the poem, he is able to use intontation to convey his message.
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