Poetry Unbound: Episode Summary – Rick Barot — The Singing

Release Date: February 3, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Poetry Unbound, hosted by Pádraig Ó Tuama from On Being Studios, listeners are invited to delve deeply into Rick Barrett’s poignant poem, "The Singing," sourced from his fifth collection, Moving the Bones. Pádraig guides us through an immersive exploration of the poem, unraveling its layers of meaning, emotional depth, and intricate craftsmanship.

Overview of "The Singing"

Rick Barrett’s "The Singing" paints a vivid picture of tension and introspection within the confined space of a car dealership’s service department waiting room. The poem unfolds over the span of thirty minutes, capturing the silent, yet emotionally charged interactions among eight individuals present in the room.

Scene Setting:

• Location: Service department waiting room in a car dealership, reminiscent of a hotel lounge with tall plants and comfortable couches.
• Characters: Eight individuals, each engaged in mundane activities—reading newspapers, scrolling on phones, or watching muted television.
• Central Figure: A woman in the corner, quietly humming, whose soft tunes gradually evolve into an impassioned song in an unidentified African language.

Narrative Progression:

• The narrator, preoccupied with concerns about his car’s potential issues, becomes increasingly aware of the woman’s humming.
• As the humming transforms into a full-fledged song, it creates a ripple of discomfort and curiosity among the others in the room.
• The woman's persistent singing shifts from a subtle background melody to a demanding presence that unsettles the collective silence.
• The poem captures the internal struggle of the narrator as he oscillates between curiosity and a desire to control or halt the unexpected auditory intrusion.

Analysis and Discussion

Pádraig Ó Tuama delves into the multifaceted layers of "The Singing," highlighting Rick Barrett's mastery in portraying complex emotional landscapes through seemingly simple narratives.

Emotional Layers and Themes:

• Control vs. Acceptance: The poem juxtaposes the narrator’s desire to maintain control over his environment with the unpredictable intrusion of the woman's song.
• Internal Conflict: Barrett illustrates the narrator’s internal turmoil—his wrestling with shame, rage, and curiosity—as he contemplates responding to the woman’s persistent singing.
• Social Norms and Reactions: The poem subtly critiques societal expectations on how individuals should react to unexpected behaviors in public spaces.

Poetic Techniques:

• Narrative Tone: The poem adopts a conversational, almost prosaic tone, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the narrator’s unhurried observations and internal dialogues.
• Descriptive Imagery: Barrett employs rich, sensory descriptions to create a tangible sense of place and the underlying tensions within it.
• Repetition and Rhythm: The repetition of phrases like “she sings” emphasizes the relentless nature of the woman's song and its impact on the narrator’s psyche.

Rick Barrett’s Craftsmanship:

• Layered Storytelling: The poem operates on multiple levels, portraying not just the external events in the waiting room but also the intricate emotional responses elicited by them.
• Character Depth: Through succinct yet powerful descriptions, Barrett brings forth the complexities of human emotions—fear, shame, curiosity, and the desire for connection.
• Cultural Resonance: The unidentified African language of the woman’s song adds a layer of cultural mystique, prompting reflections on communication beyond words and the universality of music as an emotional outlet.

Themes and Insights

Pádraig emphasizes that "The Singing" extends beyond its immediate narrative to explore broader existential themes:

1. The Unpredictability of Human Interaction:

   • The unexpected presence of the woman’s song disrupts the otherwise mundane setting, highlighting how unforeseen events can challenge our sense of stability and control.

2. Inner Turmoil and Self-Reflection:

   • The narrator’s conflicting emotions serve as a mirror to our own internal struggles when faced with disruptions or discomforts in our lives.

3. Desire for Understanding vs. Fear of the Unknown:

   • The curiosity about the song juxtaposed with the fear of its implications underscores the universal human tension between seeking connection and safeguarding oneself from potential harm.

4. Social Conformity and Deviance:

   • The silent consensus among the other individuals to either ignore or potentially act against the woman’s singing reflects societal tendencies to conform and control deviations from the norm.

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, Pádraig highlights several poignant lines from the poem, attributing them with precise timestamps to underscore their significance:

• On Initial Interaction:

  “My name is Padre Gotouma, and my friends tell me that I'm the kind of person that they usually would not want to sit next to on a plane if they didn't know me, because my preference is to talk to whoever's next to me.” [00:02]

• Descriptive Imagery:

  “The humming woman is sitting near enough that I can hear her humming begin to take on words in a language I don't know. It sounds like an African language...” [00:02]

• Emotional Tension:

  “An equal disquiet seems to thicken the air of the room. Everyone is listening, no one is looking at her...” [00:02]

• Internal Conflict:

  “Someone, I think, will walk to her and tell her to stop. Someone, I think will tell someone in the car dealership to make her stop.” [00:02]

• Unresolved Moment:

  “There is no resolving the moment until it ends. Whether the woman is aware of the rest of us, she does not give any indication.” [00:02]

• Final Reflection:

  “She sings, she sings, she sings, she sings.” [00:02]

Note: The timestamps reflect the position within the provided transcript and may not correspond to the actual podcast timeline.

Conclusion

Rick Barrett’s "The Singing" serves as a profound exploration of human psychology and social dynamics within confined spaces. Through meticulous narration and evocative imagery, Barrett invites readers to reflect on their responses to unexpected disruptions and the underlying emotions that surface in such moments. Pádraig Ó Tuama adeptly unpacks these layers, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the poem's intricate dance between control, vulnerability, and the yearning for connection. This episode of Poetry Unbound not only celebrates Barrett’s literary prowess but also encourages a deeper contemplation of our own interactions and internal landscapes.

Further Exploration: For those intrigued by this episode, Rick Barrett’s Moving the Bones offers a collection of poems that continue to explore similar themes of existence, emotion, and the human condition. Engage with the vibrant discussions on the Poetry Unbound Substack Newsletter and participate in upcoming gatherings to immerse yourself further in the world of poetry.