While A. R. Ammons is a prolific poet who has addressed many topics in his work, nature and various forms of life are among the themes that take a unique place in his poetry. From his early works to the late ones, Ammons managed to depict nature by using subtle and at the same time extremely accurate descriptions of different elements of the natural world. In poems such as “Corsons Inlet”, “Silver”, and “The City Limits” he focuses on the manifestations of nature and their impact on an individual and society in general.
“Corsons Inlet” is one of the poems that demonstrate Ammons’ fascination with nature. In it, the author describes his experiences during one morning walk along the seashore, as well as the reactions to and reflections on what he sees and feels. Research conducted by Salil has revealed that almost from the beginning of this poem, the speaker, represented by Ammons himself, draws connections between these experiences and his poetic work. For example, when he describes the walk as “liberating”, he mentions that it makes him free from “forms”, which are understood as forms and limits in relation to the poetic language. According to Salil, this poem also exemplifies Ammons’s tendency to describe “the concrete world outside with its images of birds” in contrast with an individual’s “abstract thoughts” (18). In addition, the poem is said to continue Ammons’s technique of placing the animal world “in the context of weather” (18). As the author tells about his walk over the dunes, he draws connections between different elements of nature, such as tree swallows and the season of winter.
The poet’s admiration of smaller forms of life can be seen in “Silver”, where Ammons focuses on the animal kingdom and its place in the modern world. In this poem, Ammons evokes the years he had worked in farming, conveying his love and longing for the mule he used for work when he was younger. As put by Al-Baghdadi and Jasim, he also emphasizes the contribution of agriculture in the creation and development of the Unites States (820). Al-Baghdadi and Jasim have also studied the theme of ecological conciseness in other works by A. R. Ammons’s and concluded that he often aims to raise his readers’ awareness about the importance of the natural world. With this goal in mind, Ammons implements an incredible variety of techniques to develop and structure his poems, blending the world of science and perception (Al-Baghdadi and Jasim 823). The poet skilfully applies his scientific knowledge to create a strong and concise argument while managing to create powerful and poetic imagery.
Another poem that demonstrates Ammons’s fascination with the natural world and its gifts is “The City Limits”. In this work, the poet asks his readers to “consider” various aspects of nature that cannot be seen in the city (“A. R. Ammons”). As suggested by Al-Baghdadi and Jasim, this is another way for Ammons to teach his readers about the ways in which nature can expand a person’s mind and enrich their lives. According to Al-Baghdadi and Jasim, the limits of the city in this poem signify the lines and points in which people can interact with nature (818). The city is devoid of all the wonders that nature can present. When one reaches those limits and crosses them, they will be awarded with an opportunity to interact with all the beautiful living things and natural spaces.
The findings discussed above can have a significant influence on the interpretations of Ammons’s poems, as they provide various perspectives to view the manifestations of the natural world in his work. First, poems such as “Corsons Inlet” demonstrate the connection Ammons drew between his own poetry and the various elements of nature. From large and abstract to small, specific, and detailed, his descriptions of natural phenomena are intertwined with and used as different symbols, elements of structure, and techniques in his poems. Second, the research has allowed interpreting Ammons’s poems as the account of the contributions of nature and agriculture in the creation of his country. “Silver” and other poems on the same topic show his appreciation of the animals used by people; this way, Ammons teaches his readers to be respectful to the animals they utilize for different purposes.
Finally, the findings can be used to interpret other poems by Ammnons in relation to the views they present regarding the living spaces of modern people. Poems such as “The City Limits” can encourage readers to think about their own interactions with nature and the influence it has on them. Therefore, these interpretations allow contrasting the natural world and the city life, providing the readers with an opportunity to analyze their own living spaces and needs.
It can be concluded that nature is one of the most frequently addressed topics in the poetry by A. R. Ammons. In poems like “Corsons Inlet”, “Silver”, and “The City Limits” he does not only express his love and admiration for the natural world and the animal kingdom. He also raises his readers’ awareness about the importance of interacting with nature, as well as about its’ liberating and inspiring impact on the human mind.
Works Cited
Al-Baghdadi, Ahmed, and Mustafa Jasim. “Ecological Consciousness in American Poetry: A Study in Selected Poems by R. Ammons.” Kufa Arts Journal, vol. 44, no. 1, 2020, pp. 816-824.
“A. R. Ammons.” Poetry Foundation, Web.
Salil, Varma R. “On Smaller Forms of Life, Landscape and the Seasons in A. R. Ammons’s Poetry.” Understanding the imaginary war, vol. 9, no. 3, July 2018, pp. 14-21.