What's in a name?

“If poetry isn’t understanding all, the whole world, then it isn’t worth anything.” – Robert Frost

Edna St. Vincent Millay's wonderful poetry collection title, "A Few Figs from Thistles," is one of the most brilliant poetry titles I've ever come across. I am deeply in awe of Millay's ability to weave together biblical allusion, subversive commentary, and a metaphorical reflection on the poetic process. The nuance and beauty of her title is a testament to her skill as a poet and her keen intellect.

The biblical allusion to Matthew 7:16, which suggests that good fruit cannot come from bad plants, serves as a foundation for Millay's subversive message. By presenting her poems as "figs" that have been plucked from "thistles," she challenges the notion that valuable or meaningful art cannot arise from difficult, unpleasant, or controversial subject matter. In fact, Millay's work often delves into complex themes such as love, sexuality, and social norms, demonstrating that poetry can indeed create beauty and insight from the thorny aspects of life.

Moreover, the metaphorical comparison of her poetic process to the act of plucking figs from thistles is a powerful and relatable image for many writers and artists. The idea that the creative process involves sifting through numerous painful failures or "thistles" to find the few successful pieces or "figs" resonates with anyone who has struggled to create something meaningful. Millay acknowledges the challenges and setbacks inherent in the pursuit of art, while also celebrating the moments of triumph and fruition.

The use of the phrase "a few" in the title further emphasizes the rarity and preciousness of those successful poems, suggesting that they are hard-won and all the more valuable for the effort required to create them. The alliteration of "few" and "figs" also adds to the title's memorability and poetic quality.

In just five words, Millay manages to create a title that is simultaneously thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and linguistically playful. It invites readers to consider the relationship between art and life, the nature of the creative process, and the transformative power of poetry. The title sets the stage for a collection that challenges expectations, confronts difficult truths, and ultimately affirms the value of the poetic endeavor.

In looking for an appropriate title for my poetry blog, I sought to emulate Millay's brevity, erudition and thematic relevance. The blog explores intertextuality with canonical poetry, recontextualizing it to provide current cultural commentary on issues of the day. It also delves into things like learning about the craft of poetry and new approaches to its creation, including AI collaboration and the invention of new poetic forms.

This idea of digging for significant wisdom from the past, using it to meaningfully understand the present, and seeking new sources of inspiration for navigating the future is the driving concept for the blog.

I wanted the title to use a biblical allusion, as well as offering a hopeful metaphorical reading linking it to the world of poetry and my specific goals for the blog. In exploring biblical sources for inspiration, three potential titles arose:

1. Isaiah 43:19. "Streams in the Wasteland"
2. Matthew 13:52. "New Treasures and Old"
3. Jeremiah 6:16: "The Good Way"

While all three, in my view, succeed well in their evocative power, I ultimately chose the first, "Streams in the Wasteland," as the best overall choice.

In Isaiah 43:19, God declares, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." The imagery of a barren, desolate landscape transformed by life-giving water is a powerful metaphor for the blog's mission to bring fresh perspectives and renewed vitalityb to readers.

The "wasteland" could represent the current state of poetry in popular culture - often overlooked, undervalued, or misunderstood. By engaging with canonical works and exploring innovative approaches, the blog seeks to carve out a "way in the wilderness," creating a path for readers to rediscover the relevance and richness of poetic tradition.

The great modernist poet T. S. Eliot, known for his extensive use of biblical allusions throughout his poetry, no doubt had the Isaiah verse on his mind when he selected the title for one of his most famous and important poems. "The Waste Land," a landmark poem of the 20th century, presents a bleak portrayal of spiritual crisis after World War I. Though seemingly at odds with Isaiah's more hopeful message, Eliot sought to bring a "new thing" into this barren landscape.

By juxtaposing fragments of literature, mythology, and religious texts, Eliot creates a collage of voices that speak to the brokenness of the modern world while also hinting at the possibility of redemption. The poem's final lines, "These fragments I have shored against my ruins," suggest a glimmer of hope amidst the wasteland, a sense that art and language might offer a way forward. In this light, Eliot's "The Waste Land" can be seen as a precursor to the mission of "Streams in the Wasteland"—to find moments of beauty, meaning, and renewal in the midst of a world that often feels fragmented and adrift.

In choosing this title, this blog aims to become a source of refreshment, renewal, and revelation in the world of poetry. It invites readers to embark on a journey of discovery, to see the poetic landscape with new eyes, and to participate in the creation of a more vibrant, nourishing literary culture. "Streams in the Wasteland" encapsulates faith in poetry's enduring power and its commitment to making that power accessible to all.

All poetry and text © Copyright Patrick L. Mills 2024. All Rights Reserved.