RAVENNA DIAGRAM READING GUIDE #5
GRAVE GARDEN (p.7)
Not much to say about this poem. There is a sense that, from the opening poem of the book (“Potter’s Whorl”), the clay wheel is spinning in centrifugal fashion, sending feelers or tentacles outward toward themes and elements that will see further development.
“Camelot” : always in background is memory of JFK, especially his Irish and Newport connections. And general issue of violence and sacrifice in human history (and American history).
“8-pt. symmetry” : has implications relative to Pound’s question about future epic poetry : “can you enter the great acorn of light?”
“cemetery, by the river” : Swan Point Cemetery, Providence
“Ephphatha” : “be opened” : phrase used by Jesus in the Gospels as he puts a bit of clay over blind man’s eyes and restores his sight
“saya-y-manta” : Spanish women’s robe which reveals only the face. Mentioned in Melville’s tale Benito Cereno
“brave’s game (a furnace dance)” : again, a fusion of Native American and Biblical motifs (Dakota sundance ceremony; Shadrach, Mesach & Abednego in the fiery furnace)
“Tracks in the snow (redcap, lance)” : image drawn from Parzival, Wolfram von Eschenbach’s version of the Grail story
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