The world of modern poetry holds many fascinating, yet sometimes elusive, masterpieces. Among these, Ronald Johnson’s ARK stands out as a truly unique and monumental work. This isn’t your typical poem; it’s an experience, a journey through language and form that redefines what poetry can be. For years, accessing this remarkable book was a challenge, often commanding high prices in the out-of-print market. Thankfully, its recent reissue has opened the doors for a wider audience to discover its “irony-dissolving radiance.”
Stephen Ross, in this insightful piece, guides us through the enchanting and often bewildering landscape of ARK. He aptly describes it as an “ecstatic modernist sci-fi epic,” a “grand concrete poem,” and a work of “outsider art.” Forget traditional plot or a singular message; ARK is about the sheer joy of language, a celebration of wonder, and an exploration of poetic architecture. Ross’s words themselves begin to echo the book’s style, playful and profound, inviting us to delve deeper into Johnson’s creation.
What Makes ARK Unique?
ARK defies easy categorization. It’s a poem that borrows from various traditions, yet forges its own path. Ross highlights its key characteristics:
- Lyric Architecture: This isn’t just a collection of verses; it’s structured like a building, an “arcadian Noah’s ark turned ark of the covenant turned spaceship bound for Arcturus.” The poem unfolds as a constructed space, inviting readers to explore its different rooms and levels.
- Modernist Sci-Fi Epic: While rooted in modernist poetic techniques, ARK ventures into the realm of science fiction, albeit in a uniquely poetic way. It’s a journey to the stars, not through narrative, but through language and imagery.
- Concrete Poetry and Collage: Johnson embraces visual poetry, incorporating concrete forms, documentary collage, and even erasure poems. This multi-faceted approach creates a rich and dynamic reading experience.
- Excluding History: In a departure from historical epics, ARK focuses on the present moment, on the “everything is awesome all the time” feeling. It’s a poem of pure experience, unfiltered through historical context.
- Playful and Profound: Ross points out the “silly” nature of ARK, in the Old English sense of being connected to the soul. It’s a poem that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet delves into profound questions of language, perception, and existence.
Exploring the Structure of ARK
ARK is divided into three main sections, mirroring its architectural concept:
- Foundations: Considered by Ross as the strongest section, “Foundations” lays the groundwork for the entire poem. It showcases Johnson’s prose and concrete poetry at their finest.
- The Spires: Building upon the “Foundations,” “The Spires” reach upwards, exploring new poetic heights and forms.
- The Ramparts: Completing the structure, “The Ramparts” provide a sense of enclosure and completion, while still leaving room for open interpretation.
Within these sections, Johnson utilizes a “center-justified lyric mode” as a backbone, but readily deviates into diverse forms. From textbook entries on the human sensorium to erasure poems of Milton and the Psalms, ARK is a testament to poetic possibility.
Johnson’s Hand and Poetic Touch
Adding a deeply personal dimension to ARK, Johnson includes a photocopy of his own hand in the eighteenth section. Ross recounts discovering Johnson’s habit of tracing his hand in his books, connecting it to Celan’s idea of a poem as a handshake. For Johnson, it’s an even more exuberant “high five,” a gesture of open communication and connection with the reader. This tactile element underscores the poem’s physicality and Johnson’s embodied approach to language.
Influences and Artistic Kinship
Johnson’s poetic lineage can be traced to Black Mountain poets and the San Francisco Renaissance. He draws inspiration from the “New American Poetry” movement and its modernist predecessors. However, his artistic vision extends beyond poetry, finding kinship with “naïve art” structures like the Palais Ideal and Watts Tower. These outsider creations, built from found objects and personal vision, resonate with ARK‘s cobbled-together, architectural nature.
Consider “Beam 24” as an example of Johnson’s unique style, blending concrete poetry with earthy and heartfelt language:
“Earth ear the art heart.” In these few words, Johnson encapsulates the grounding and aspirational spirit of ARK.
Discovering ARK for Yourself
Ronald Johnson’s ARK is not a poem to be simply read; it’s to be experienced. It’s a challenging, rewarding, and ultimately exhilarating journey into the outer reaches of poetic expression. Stephen Ross’s piece serves as an excellent entry point, illuminating the key aspects of this monumental work and encouraging readers to embark on their own exploration of ARK‘s poetic universe. If you’re seeking poetry that pushes boundaries, celebrates language, and offers a uniquely modernist vision, Ronald Johnson’s ARK awaits your discovery.
