Born on this day August 29, 1929 in Gravesend, UK, Thom Gunn, a renowned poet, was a significant figure in the world of literature. His unique fusion of traditional forms and contemporary themes made his work distinctively dynamic and resonant. Gunn was a part of ‘The Movement,’ an influential group of British poets in the mid-20th century who aimed to make poetry more accessible by using colloquial language and common experiences. Gunn’s poetry, however, extended beyond the confines of ‘The Movement’ and reflected his unique experiences and perspectives.
Gunn’s dynamic poetry was rooted in his remarkable ability to blend the old with the new, the personal with the universal. His work was marked by the use of traditional poetic forms and techniques, such as rhyme and meter, which he combined effectively with contemporary themes, including sexuality, drugs, and death. This quality made his poetry both innovative and accessible, appealing to a wide variety of readers.
Thom Gunn was also an influential teacher who used his profound understanding of language and form to influence a generation of poets. He taught at the University of California, Berkeley for many years, where he inspired students with his passion for poetry and his unique approach to the craft. His teaching style mirrored his poetic style – just as his poetry bridged the gap between tradition and modernity, so did his teaching methods inculcate a deep respect for classic literature while nurturing creativity and originality.
Thom Gunn’s dynamic poetry is a testament to his exceptional talent as a poet and teacher. His work transcends the parameters of ‘The Movement’ to create a unique blend of tradition and contemporaneity, making him one of the most influential figures in 20th-century literature.
From the Wave
It mounts at sea, a concave wall
Down-ribbed with shine,
And pushes forward, building tall
Its steep incline.
Then from their hiding rise to sight
Black shapes on boards
Bearing before the fringe of white
It mottles towards.
Their pale feet curl, they poise their weight
With a learn’d skill.
It is the wave they imitate
Keeps them so still.
The marbling bodies have become
Half wave, half men,
Grafted it seems by feet of foam
Some seconds, then,
Late as they can, they slice the face
In timed procession:
Balance is triumph in this place,
Triumph possession.
The mindless heave of which they rode
A fluid shelf
Breaks as they leave it, falls and, slowed,
Loses itself.
Clear, the sheathed bodies slick as seals
Loosen and tingle;
And by the board the bare foot feels
The suck of shingle.
They paddle in the shallows still;
Two splash each other;
Then all swim out to wait until
The right waves gather.
-Thom Gunn
Curated by Jennifer
