The Poet by Amy Lowell

“The Poet by Amy Lowell” is a powerful and introspective poem by American poet Amy Lowell, first published in 1915 in her collection “Sword Blades and Poppy Seed”. The poem explores the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society, ultimately arriving at the conclusion that poetry is a force that can transcend time and space, connecting us to something greater than ourselves.

The poem begins with a description of the poet as a solitary figure, standing “mute and motionless” in the midst of a bustling city. The poet is portrayed as an outsider, detached from the world around them and consumed by their own thoughts and emotions. However, despite their isolation, the poet is not entirely cut off from the world – rather, they are attuned to the rhythms of life and able to perceive the beauty and wonder that lies beneath the surface of things.

As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from the poet to the act of poetry itself. Lowell explores the various ways in which poetry can be created, from the “sharp, decisive word” to the “vague, uncertain phrase”. She suggests that poetry is not merely a matter of clever wordplay or clever rhetorical devices, but rather a means of expressing the inexpressible and capturing the essence of life itself.

Towards the end of the poem, Lowell moves beyond the realm of the individual poet to consider the larger role of poetry in society. She suggests that poetry has the power to connect us to something greater than ourselves – a kind of universal consciousness or collective memory that transcends time and space. She writes:

“And all men’s souls are glimmering with the light Of countless candles lit by poets’ hands.”

Here, Lowell is suggesting that the poems written by individual poets are not simply isolated works of art, but rather part of a larger tradition that stretches back through the ages. The poets of the past have lit the candles of our souls, and in turn, we have the power to light the candles of future generations.

In conclusion, “The Poet” is a rich and multifaceted poem that explores the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. It is a deeply introspective work that invites the reader to reflect on the power of language and the ways in which poetry can help us to connect with the world around us. Ultimately, it suggests that poetry is not simply a matter of personal expression, but a means of tapping into a larger, universal consciousness that lies at the heart of human experience.