Pouncing through the world

Mary Ruefle’s poem, Grasshopper, explores a specific scene in nature that hints at a broader application to life. The first verse is intriguing because, although the audience is familiar with what a grasshopper is, they probably haven’t tried to catch one because it moves so quickly and, in all honesty, doesn’t seem like that great of a prize to capture. Ruefle poses a rhetorical question with her first two lines and then explores how one may catch a grasshopper, something she touted “those who make a close study of life” can provide knowledge on. Beneath the grasshopper, Ruefle says there is “a pillar of motionless time” which invokes a vivid yet confusing imagery. A pillar is a solid formation primarily used to support things while motionless time isn’t physical, unable to be seen in units of measurement or specific descriptors, and fluid in its meaning and analyses. Ruefle goes on to further play with this realistic unreality she has going on with the next verse which features a call to action and a word that many probably don’t have in their vernacular. Viatica, defined as either something given to those in mortal peril or as supply of provisions for a long journey, makes me recall the Ancient Greek practice of placing a coin on the bodies of those near or already dead so that they might cross the River Styx and its ferryman. This provides an interesting connection with the pillars Ruefle previously mentioned as pillars are usually connected with Grecian architecture (specifically the temples and meeting places of Ancient Greece). Ruefle’s advocating for adding a “grasshopper” to one’s supply before embarking on a long journey brings up numerous connotations and a confusing overall meaning. The next few verses do little to clear up the murkiness of her meaning as “endless exposure” and “unnoticed life” are brought in before the poem comes to a confusing full loop with the grasshopper and his pillar once again. The call for the reader to “pounce!” is interesting although it does not help the poem’s understanding. The emphasis and short phrase brings a lot of attention to imply how actions should be taken quickly but with the context of catching a grasshopper. Then there is a reminder that a grasshopper is inferior to a person as it is stated that a grasshopper weighs not even an ounce. Taking a base guess from what I’ve gathered and researched, I imagine this poem is a call to act, to take control of a destiny that doesn’t so much feel like destiny but more like an impossible-to-catch, not-worth-the-effort grasshopper and how that action can reap possible rewards. Ruefle’s view on life conveyed to her reader isn’t so much optimistic as it is encouraging. Her introduction of the Eucharist connects the poem to a long journey and possibly death already. Even to the poem’s end, she makes no promise they will actually catch the grasshopper although they are, of course, reminded that the grasshopper is minor and catchable if they can understand the pillar she is referencing. The poem feels like it’s missing its parts. There is meaningful stanza, metaphors within the grasshopper and pillar awaiting more focused uncovering, and, above all, the pervasive sense that there is way more than just a grasshopper waiting to be caught. However, it’s hard to direct one’s analyses into one coherent message that Ruefle is trying to convey that would properly tie up all the devices the poem uses. Is that the point? Is the long journey she references actually the long journey one must take to understand this poem? Is there an allusion to some historical work that a high school reader misses out on? To the very end, after all this analysis, I can’t seem to conclusively say what the grasshopper and pillar represent. I know the latter is supporting something but whether it be life, humans living life, or my own sanity I cannot be sure.