There is a surreal air to this poem which I imagine is deliberate. I
collect the allusions to Whitman and Crane but the 'exit' and 'Brooklyn'
alludes also to 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' but that nightmare doesn't seem to
materialise later in the poem unless the whole surreality of the poem is the
nightmare, perhaps. The third person voice is a nice artefact for distancing
the reader and the 'hero' becomes a figure in a landscape. I am guided by
'fabric of waterproofs' and ' tundra' to see the pursuit as raised to a
higher reality of victim and predator epitomised by the Eskimo vs. polar
bear allusion. Now I begin to think I am reading too much into the poem but
then there are some many allusive and elusive layers in the poem that my
imagination seems given fee rein to wander as it will. The title is not as
arbitrary as you hint. Exit and pursuit are words that have led you( and me)
here by multi-association. Nice poem James.regards Arthur.
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 11:18 AM
Subject: Exit Pursued ByA Bear
> I just got back and the first poem is about going away. How about that?
The
> irregular line length is very deliberate as is the third person view
point.
> Tell me what you think o dear friends.
>
> EXIT PURSUED BY A BEAR
>
> He came across a bridge and wondered
> if in crossing
> it would be his exit
> in much the same way
> as Walt and Hart before him
> over Brooklyn
> for even here there was the crosswind
> that levelled diversity
> brought goosepimples
> to the most fair complexion
> and ratled the fabric of waterproofs
> to the extent that they were exposed
> above the thick stone parapets
>
> The bear was still some way behind
> and party to only a faint scent -
> just the way he liked it -
> though still could imagine
> the bulk of bone and flesh and fur and how
> it would lumber with true implacability
> across the tundra of his bare urban landscape
> to find him convinced
> that even crossing water would not make a difference
>
> He hesitated
> like many before
> and only saw the maw and the tooth and claw
> in the nick of time
> able to make his exit
> though still pursued
> over the bridge
> into later scenes and acts
>
>
> bw
> James
>
>
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