What do we do with the body, do we
burn it, do we set it in dirt or in
stone, do we wrap it in balm, honey,
oil, and then gauze and tip it onto
and trust it to a raft and to water?What will happen to the memory of his
body, if one of us doesn’t hurry now
and write it down fast? Will it be
salt or late light that it melts like?
Floss, rubber gloves, and a chewed capto a pen elsewhere—how are we to
regard his effects, do we throw them
or use them away, do we say they are
relics and so treat them like relics?
Does his soiled linen count? If so,would we be wrong then, to wash it?
There are no instructions whether it
should go to where are those with no
linen, or whether by night we should
memorially wear it ourselves, by dayreflect upon it folded, shelved, empty.
Here, on the floor behind his bed is
a bent photo—why? Were the two of
them lovers? Does it mean, where we
found it, that he forgot it or lost itor intended a safekeeping? Should we
attempt to make contact? What if this
other man too is dead? Or alive, but
doesn’t want to remember, is human?
Is it okay to be human, and fall awayfrom oblation and memory, if we forget,
and can’t sometimes help it and sometimes
it is all that we want? How long, in
dawns or new cocks, does that take?
What if it is rest and nothing else thatwe want? Is it a findable thing, small?
In what hole is it hidden? Is it, maybe,
a country? Will a guide be required who
will say to us how? Do we fly? Do we
swim? What will I do now, with my hands?
Carl Phillips’s “As from a Quiver of Arrows” stands as a profound meditation on loss, memory, and the human struggle to find meaning in the face of death. This powerful poem invites readers into a deeply introspective journey, exploring the practicalities and philosophical dilemmas that arise when confronting the aftermath of a life. It is a work that resonates with anyone who has grappled with grief, the passage of time, and the enduring questions of existence.
Understanding “As from a Quiver of Arrows”: Summary and Central Idea
“As from a Quiver of Arrows” by Carl Phillips presents a speaker consumed by a series of urgent, unanswerable questions following someone’s death. The poem opens with inquiries about the physical body: how should it be disposed of? Should it be burned, buried, or entrusted to water? This initial focus quickly shifts to the more abstract, yet equally pressing, concern of memory. The speaker ponders how to preserve the deceased’s memory, fearing its inevitable fading “like salt or late light.”
The poem then delves into the significance of personal belongings, questioning whether they are mere objects to be discarded or sacred “relics” deserving of special treatment. The discovery of a bent photograph introduces a layer of personal history and unresolved relationships, prompting further ethical and emotional dilemmas about privacy, connection, and the possibility of forgetting. The poem culminates in a yearning for peace and rest, questioning if such solace is attainable or even desirable, and expressing a profound sense of disorientation and helplessness.
The central idea of “As from a Quiver of Arrows” is the relentless human questioning of how to honor the dead, preserve their memory, and navigate the complexities of grief and obligation in a world that offers no clear instructions. It explores the tension between the desire to remember and the human inclination to forget, ultimately highlighting the profound uncertainty and vulnerability inherent in the human condition. A noteworthy aspect of this poem is its structure, which is almost entirely composed of rhetorical questions, mirroring the speaker’s internal struggle and inviting the reader to share in this profound inquiry.
Major Themes in “As from a Quiver of Arrows”
- Death and its Aftermath: The poem directly confronts the immediate and lingering questions surrounding death, from the physical disposition of the body to the emotional and ethical responsibilities of the living.
- The Elusiveness of Memory: A core concern is the fragility and impermanence of memory. The speaker grapples with the urgency of recording memories before they dissolve, and the moral implications of forgetting.
- Human Obligation Versus Desire: The poem explores the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires regarding mourning and remembrance. It questions whether it is “okay to be human, and fall away / from oblation and memory, if we forget.”
- The Search for Peace and Meaning: Ultimately, the speaker yearns for a sense of rest or understanding, questioning if peace is “a findable thing, small” or a distant “country” requiring a guide. This reflects a universal human quest for solace in the face of life’s mysteries.
Exploring the Craft: Literary and Poetic Devices in “As from a Quiver of Arrows”
Carl Phillips masterfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to create the profound and questioning atmosphere of “As from a Quiver of Arrows.” These techniques work in concert to immerse the reader in the speaker’s contemplative state.
Rhetorical Questions and Anaphora
The most striking feature of the poem is its pervasive use of rhetorical questions. The entire poem is a cascade of inquiries, none of which are explicitly answered, forcing the reader to engage in the speaker’s internal debate. For example, the opening lines set this tone immediately:
What do we do with the body, do we
burn it, do we set it in dirt or in
stone, do we wrap it in balm, honey,
oil, and then gauze and tip it onto
and trust it to a raft and to water?
This technique creates a sense of urgency, confusion, and deep philosophical inquiry. It highlights the absence of clear guidance in matters of grief and remembrance. Furthermore, the poem frequently uses anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines, particularly with “Do we” and “What if.” This repetition amplifies the relentless nature of the questioning and underscores the speaker’s profound uncertainty:
Do we fly? Do we
swim? What will I do now, with my hands?
This insistent questioning draws the reader into the speaker’s disoriented state.
Imagery and Symbolism
Phillips employs rich and evocative imagery to explore the poem’s themes. The descriptions of the body’s potential disposal, such as “balm, honey, oil, and then gauze,” create a visceral sense of ritual and care, juxtaposed with the stark reality of death. Everyday objects take on symbolic weight:
- “Floss, rubber gloves, and a chewed cap / to a pen” symbolize the mundane details of a life, now imbued with a haunting significance as “effects” of the deceased.
- The “soiled linen” raises questions about the sanctity of personal items and the boundaries of respect after death.
- The “bent photo” found “behind his bed” symbolizes lost connections, hidden histories, and the fragmented nature of memory. It represents a tangible piece of a life that now prompts more questions than answers.
The title itself, “As from a Quiver of Arrows,” is a powerful symbol. A quiver holds arrows, ready to be shot. This suggests a readiness for attack, or perhaps, in the context of the poem, a readiness for questions to be launched, piercing the speaker’s consciousness. It evokes a sense of vulnerability, being struck by grief, or being overwhelmed by the sharp, pointed nature of unanswered inquiries.
Enjambment
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is a pervasive structural element in the poem. This technique mirrors the fluidity of thought and the speaker’s restless, unbroken stream of questions. Consider these lines:
What will happen to the memory of his
body, if one of us doesn’t hurry now
and write it down fast? Will it be
salt or late light that it melts like?
The absence of end-line punctuation propels the reader forward, creating a sense of breathlessness and urgency that reflects the speaker’s anxious contemplation. It blurs the boundaries between lines, much as the boundaries between life and death, and memory and forgetting, are blurred in the poem.
Assonance and Consonance
Phillips subtly uses sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and emotional resonance. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within non-rhyming words, and consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, contribute to the poem’s texture. For instance, the repetition of the short “i” sound in “if,” “his,” and “write” in “What will happen to the memory of his / body, if one of us doesn’t hurry now / and write it down fast?” draws attention to the urgency of preserving memory. Similarly, the soft “l” sound in “salt or late light that it melts like?” creates a gentle, fading quality, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of memory.
Free Verse and Structure
“As from a Quiver of Arrows” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or meter. This stylistic choice allows Phillips to create a natural, conversational, and unconstrained tone, mimicking the organic flow of thought and questioning. The poem is divided into eight stanzas of varying lengths, contributing to an uninhibited feel. This lack of formal constraints underscores the poem’s central theme of uncertainty; just as there are no clear answers, there is no rigid poetic form to contain the speaker’s boundless inquiries.
Diction and Tone
The poem’s diction is precise, understated, and often stark, avoiding overly sentimental or ornate language. Words like “burn,” “dirt,” “stone,” “salt,” and “hole” ground the abstract questions in concrete, often somber, realities. This careful word choice contributes to the poem’s overall tone, which is one of profound melancholic curiosity. The speaker is not overwhelmed by histrionic grief but rather engaged in a detached, yet deeply felt, philosophical exploration of loss and memory. The tone is best described as quizzical, pensive, and ultimately deeply human, inviting empathy and shared reflection.
The Enduring Power of “As from a Quiver of Arrows”
“As from a Quiver of Arrows” by Carl Phillips is a powerful and enduring poem that resonates deeply with the human experience of loss and the relentless quest for meaning. Through its masterful use of rhetorical questions, vivid imagery, and a contemplative tone, the poem invites readers to confront their own uncertainties about death, memory, and the obligations we hold to those who have passed. It does not offer easy answers, but rather encourages a profound engagement with the unanswerable, reminding us of the shared human journey through grief and the search for solace. The poem’s ability to articulate such universal struggles ensures its place as a significant work in contemporary poetry, continuing to provoke thought and stir emotion in all who encounter its poignant inquiries.