In his poem, “September 1, 1939”, WH Auden presented what he saw as his only power in time of war: “All I have is a voice / To undo the folded lie.” Auden challenges history and politics with his single voice. Despite his more famous and misunderstood “poetry makes nothing happen”, this is poetry’s way of making something happen. Even if no one’s listening – or is able to hear over the bickering and bombs. Many poets have followed his example since: the “I” as “an affirming flame” at the centre of a horrific occasion.
Due North, Peter Riley’s most recent collection, a finalist for this year’s Forward prize, offers an alternative example. This expansive work is a poem in 12 very different chapters. In it, Riley suggests that there are other powers, ones not often used to their full potential on these shores. Here, “I” is “We” and the congregation sings a chorale: “the song that / knows the entire wound, and the price of the state”. The book might best be read as a sort of northern Song of Ourselves (and sure enough, “Song of Myself” is name-checked), not one voice speaking, but many voices in unison, harmony and song:
Continue reading...
