In G.C. Waldrep’s poem on page 28 of his book Disclamor, “Bergson’s Arrow” shows the direction of Henri Bergson’s thought. One philosophy Bergson projected concerned the role of free will and fluidity of duration[1] counter balancing the popular thought of his time in the industrial revolution of “mechanization.” He argued that autonomy and discovery of the self played an important role, which through industrialization, was being lost. “Bergson’s Arrow,” mentioning the philosophy no more than in the title, reflects Waldrep’s frequent theme of time, change, and redemption.
Beginning with rain, on could argue that Holly outside his window has metaphorical value as a plant with poisonous aversion to humans, often symbolizing truth foreshadows the bitter reality Waldrep reveals. As he watches the rain, it creates a fall line on some ledge; a waterfall of sorts. This “shelf of self,” the fall line of humanity is the topic of the poem. Hydro-powered flour mills were one of the first developments in the industrial revolution, regining a staple of life that ran off of a larger version of rain water rushing down a ledge. From industrialization came mass production of Weapons in the Civil War; success from that war giving life to Richmond’s Jackson Ward, the later development of toll roads depraving the autonomy of persons living in that district.
Waldrep believes a major change is needed in what has become our nation, scars from movement of thought damaging not only his belief, but also all of American people (incli-nations). The overwhelming conflict of culture that struggles with industrialization as a benefit and a down fall destroys the false from that everything is plentiful and beautiful; the benefits of advancement are ending, they are no longer free after first admission.[2] No other country that we wish to "save" is begging for our democracy and our capitalism. They have seen the affects. To change our behavior, Waldrep suggest that actions will not "evolve” on their own, rather he reveals it “involves;” it demands participation from all members.
His talk of numbers could go multiple directions; my first thoughts are war and causalties, but what casualties are there from train and buildings? Perhaps he does mean tally of death; the death of individuals to industrialization and the achievement of “man”. His choice of words for his location are twofold: liminal juncture, liminal “relating to the point (or threshold) beyond which a sensation becomes too faint to be experienced,” but also plays off the trains, the movement of the nation; liminal is the base of liminality: “the transitional period or phase of a rite of passage, during which the participant lacks social status or rank, remains anonymous, shows obedience and humility, and follows prescribed forms of conduct, dress, etc.”
But alas, these number we have formed of people has revealed no meaning to life (no coded message). Instead of Mechanization, we must lean on the most human, real thing that remains: Love. Even though it has be pushed aside for advancement and science, love heals human wound. We constantly disrupt the healing process of our kind, never allowing the wound to close up, always jabbing ourselves with a need to be better instead of accepting. We constantly remind ourselves of our fallen state, never able to move on.
But alas, these number we have formed of people has revealed no meaning to life (no coded message). Instead of Mechanization, we must lean on the most human, real thing that remains: Love. Even though it has be pushed aside for advancement and science, love heals human wound. We constantly disrupt the healing process of our kind, never allowing the wound to close up, always jabbing ourselves with a need to be better instead of accepting. We constantly remind ourselves of our fallen state, never able to move on.
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