Few authors have exerted an influence on literature as great as that of Mark Twain. This American icon continues to inspire readers, researchers, and playwrights alike, with his works and his wit. But did Mark Twain also write poetry? Was he a poet?
The answer may surprise some. While Mark Twain was widely known in his era for being a humorous writer, journalist, lecturer, and raconteur, he was also an accomplished poet. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain wrote verse throughout his life, though this was largely forgotten in the years after his death in April of 1910.
John Locke, an associate professor of English language and literature at the University of Virginia, has made a study of Mark Twain’s poetic works. He notes that, while the majority of Clemens’ poems are lighthearted and whimsical, they are quite reflective of the author himself. For example, a poem dated January of 1869, when Clemens was 33, reads, “He had nothing left to chance—/He came prepared to answer all/By having nothing left to say.”
According to Locke, this is a classic example of classic Twain wit and brevity and is indicative of Clemens’ attitude later in life when faced with the tension between his inner seriousness and his comic facade.
Mark Twain wasn’t just a funny versifier. He also wrote poetry of quite a serious nature. A much-neglected poem entitled “A Vision,” which he wrote in 1870, reflects a grave and contemplative mood, even bordering on despair. In this poem, he expresses his feelings about the death of his brother, Henry, which occurred the previous year. In the poem, he expresses not only his sorrow, but also his bitterness over his own failures. He also expresses his opposition to religious beliefs, which he regards as fallacious.
Interestingly, despite his deep sadness at the loss of his brother, he still maintains a sense of humor in his work. His poem ends with, “But patience,— and patience alone /Shall win at last the crown of stone”; a humorous twist in the form of a pun.
This mix of emotions and the line between serious and comic are hallmarks of Mark Twain’s poetry, as well as of his writing as a whole. Professor Locke notes that it is in his poetry that one finds Twain’s true self, and which has resulted in a revival of interest in this aspect of his work.
Through Different Forms of Poetry
Mark Twain was a prolific poet and wrote in many different forms. He wrote haiku, limericks, rondels, hymns, and of course, the more traditional forms of verse. His haiku, in particular, have evoked particular interest, as his typical wit and word play often really shone through in this brief form. In one of his more recognisable pieces in this form, Twain wrote:
Long I sought Him.
No need to seek Him.
He lay in my bosom.
This haiku is a classic example of the merging of Twain’s wit and his introspective nature, as it reflects his feelings of how he has found his inner peace. In addition, the way in which he uses the concept of ‘seeking’ and his ability to turn it into something humorous, reflects both his comic and reflective ethos in a short four-line verse.
In addition to haiku, Twain also wrote rondels, or circular verses, expressing his feelings about the nature of mortality and his relations to the world. In one of his rondels, titled, “The Object of Life,” he notes, “Let us learn to bear our portion/Of pain and righting wrong;/Let us accept with docile heart/The lesson ‘twould prolong.” This further reveals Twain’s thoughtful side, as he contemplates life, its purpose, and patterns of existence.
Exploring Themes in His Poetry
While most of Twain’s poetic works are largely forgotten, more recently his works have been collected and studied in a book entitled, The Complete Poems of Mark Twain. Here, readers and analysts alike may find a heartfelt and often humorous collection of musings, reflecting many of Twain’s perspectives on his own mortality, as well as his place in world affairs.
His poetry mainly consists of two- and four-line verses, demonstrating the duality of his nature. Many of these were published for the first time in a posthumous collection in 1941, and range from amusing musings to more serious reflections about life and death, demonstrating his ability to use humour and emotion interchangeably.
A major theme Twain returns to in many of his poems is a consideration of death, and his place in the world. In his poem, “On the Depths of My Soul,” he writes “From depths of my soul, I shall still hear a cry, /Of ‘Heroes,’ the masters of destiny, and ‘I!’” This reflects on his position as an observer of the world, yet unable to act in any significant way.
Public Perception of His Poetry
Mark Twain Poetry has been mostly ignored, often in favor of his more well-known novels. Ironically, the public perception of Twain as a comical figure is perhaps responsible for this oversight. Additionally, in the years after his death, Twain’s humorous writing was often reprinted, while his verse was omitted.
However, Twain’s poetry is now being recognised as an integral part of his work. While it varies in quality, as do all writers’ work, it offers a unique insight into the man behind his exterior, as well as his vision of the world.
Critical Reception of Twain’s Poems
Critics and scholars alike have praised Twain for his poetic efforts. A number have highlighted the power of the language used, with some considering him to be an underestimated poet whose works have commercial value beyond the realms of literature.
One major contributor is Brian Hall, a philosophy scholar and author of several books. He opines that Twain’s poetry is overshadowed by his written works, such as the iconic novels of Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Of Twain’s poetry Hall notes: “What most readers of Mark Twain miss is the wonderful poetry that he wrote. Sympathetic and well-crafted as his fiction is, none surpasses the terrific gifts which he incorporated into his poetry. Such works as The Solitary Lariat, For the Confederate Dead, and By The Rive are as poetic as they come. Twain’s craftsmanship in producing verse can be seen in its purest form”.
A Talented Man of Letters
In conclusion, it is clear that Mark Twain was an extremely talented man of letters with considerable poetic ability. While his prose is widely appreciated and enjoyed, many still overlook his more serious works of poetry. For those who are prepared to take a closer look, Twain’s verse offers a fascinating insight not just into the world that he writing about, but also into his own life, mind and heart.
Exploring His Political Satires
In addition to his introspective musings, Mark Twain’s poetry alsocommentary on the political developments of his day. One of his most famous works on this subject is the six-verse satirical poem, The War Prayer.
Written in 1905 in response to the Russo-Japanese War, it attacks patriotism, while also warning of the dangers of blindly following a cause. Furthermore, noting the futility of war, the poem paints a vivid image of the horror and destruction caused by conflict.
Yet, beneath the anger that Twain expresses in the poem, there is also a spirit of optimism, as he ultimately calls for a unity of mankind, and he looks forward to a world without war. This mix of keen political awareness, combined with a deep spiritual attitude, is indicative of the nature of his entire poetic work.
Reaching Out Through Poetry
Mark Twain was an author and figure of global renown, who reached out to readers through his work. This includes not only his better-known prose, but also his poetic works. Mainly forgotten in the years after his death, his poetic works were little appreciated for decades.
However, increasing interest in all aspects of Twain’s writing, including his verse, has resulted in a greater appreciation of his works, and a newfound interest in his poetry. As the interest in Mark Twain continues to grow, scholars and critics alike are certain to rediscover the wit and wisdom in much of his poetic work.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Mark Twain was an accomplished poet, as much as a novelist and essayist. While his career is largely remembered for his comic writing, subsequently, his more serious works, such as poems, may have been overlooked and forgotten. Nevertheless, closer examination of his verse can reveal an insightful side of the author, and goes some way in offering a glimpse into his personal life and beliefs.
