I learned about poetry in an unusual way, thanks to my sister, Dawn. When I was in my early teens, Dawn would have her college friends over for the holidays. After a few cocktails, they would often start reciting T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” It was always a lively performance; they would imitate a recording of Eliot himself, using exaggerated voices as they laughed their way through the poem. If you ever have the chance to listen to that recording, you’ll understand why. Even though I didn’t know what the poem was about at the time, I can still recite a good deal of it to this day. It felt complicated and silly all at once.
Later in life, whenever I needed help understanding a poem or a play, Dawn was the person I turned to. She always had an insightful analysis. I remember one time, outside a theater after a play had completely gone over my head, I asked her what it was about. As she began talking, a small crowd suddenly gathered around us. I was relieved to know I wasn’t the only one who didn’t quite get it, and soon others began asking her questions. I was in awe of her talent, but at the same time, I wasn’t surprised at all.
Sincerely,
Paul Bodrogi
Dawn Bodrogi, an astrologer and poet, crafts verses that resonate with a deep understanding of both the human heart and the celestial spheres. Her poem “Disnavigation” offers a compelling glimpse into her unique poetic voice, revealing a rich tapestry of literary influences, from the Romanticism of Keats to the Modernism of Eliot, and beyond.
Romantic Echoes: The Sublime and the Self
The spirit of Romanticism, particularly the profound emotionality and sensory detail of John Keats, permeates “Disnavigation.” The central metaphor of love as a tumultuous sea immediately evokes the Romantic appreciation for the power and grandeur of nature. Bodrogi’s “roughest sea” and “treacherous waves” mirror the sublime landscapes often found in Romantic poetry, reflecting intense inner states. Like Keats, who explored personal experience and the self through his odes, Bodrogi delves into a deeply personal journey of navigating the complexities of love, marked by introspection (“I know myself this much”) and awe in the face of the unknown (“To stars I’ve never seen”).
Modernist Currents: Loss and Fragmented Meaning
The influence of Modernism, particularly the intellectual and often fragmented style of T.S. Eliot, is also discernible. The very title, “Disnavigation,” hints at a sense of disorientation and loss of traditional guidance, a common theme in Modernist literature. The lines “I left my maps, my compass, on the shore long ago” echo the Modernist sense of a world adrift. While not relying on direct mythological references in the same way as Eliot, Bodrogi creates a sense of enduring narrative by suggesting the speaker might become “a legend of love,” mirroring the Modernist use of myth to lend universality to individual experience. The poem’s later stanzas, focusing on the ephemeral nature of time and memory (“Each day dissolves into heart dust”), further align with Modernist preoccupations.
The Metaphysical Conceit: Yoking the Inner and Outer Worlds
Beyond these prominent influences, “Disnavigation” also displays a kinship with the Metaphysical poets, a connection noted by Eliot himself. Like John Donne, Bodrogi employs an extended and complex conceit, comparing the emotional experience of love to the literal and perilous act of sea navigation. This “yoking together” of disparate ideas is evident throughout the poem, as the language of seafaring is intricately woven with the language of emotion and the soul. This intellectual rigor, combined with deep feeling, is a hallmark of Metaphysical poetry.
Symbolist Undertones: Evoking Meaning Through Image
Given Eliot’s deep engagement with the Symbolist movement, it is likely that Bodrogi also draws from this tradition. The recurring images of the sea, stars, and land are not merely descriptive but function as evocative symbols, hinting at deeper layers of meaning and emotional states. The poem’s aim to suggest rather than explicitly state aligns with the Symbolist desire to capture inner realities through sensory and metaphorical language. The idea of a personal journey culminating in a potential myth (“a legend of love”) also resonates with the Symbolist tendency towards mythopoeia.
Dramatic Voice: A Soliloquy of the Soul
Finally, Dawn Bodrogi’s background in dramatic literature at NYU clearly informs the structure and tone of “Disnavigation.” The poem unfolds as a dramatic monologue, with a single speaker addressing an implied “you” (and the reader), revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings through a sustained address. This form, reminiscent of poets like Robert Browning, allows for a deep exploration of the speaker’s psyche and emotional arc, moving from initial apprehension to a final sense of acceptance and awe.
In conclusion, Dawn Bodrogi’s “Disnavigation” is a rich and layered poem that draws from a diverse range of literary traditions. The emotional intensity of Romanticism, the intellectualism and fragmented sensibility of Modernism, the intricate conceits of the Metaphysical poets, the evocative symbolism of the Symbolists, and the dramatic structure of the monologue all contribute to a unique and compelling poetic voice. By navigating these literary seas, Bodrogi charts a course that is entirely her own, offering readers a profound exploration of love and the human spirit.
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