Poem Analysis - Ripe In The Arbours Of The Nose

A Symphony of Citrus: Introduction to "Ripe In The Arbours Of The Nose"

Les Murray's "Ripe In The Arbours Of The Nose" is a vibrant, sensory exploration of citrus fruits, moving from descriptive observations to philosophical reflections. The poem overflows with rich imagery and playful language, celebrating the diverse qualities of oranges, lemons, limes, and cumquats. The tone is largely celebratory and sensual, though tinged with moments of melancholy and awareness of mortality. It feels like a stream of consciousness that washes over the reader, leaving a lingering taste of sunshine and bittersweet wisdom.

Australian Light: Murray's Lyrical Landscapes

While specific historical context isn't explicitly crucial to understanding the poem, knowing that Les Murray is an Australian poet is significant. The Australian landscape, with its intense sunlight and connection to the land, often finds its way into his work. Here, the poem's focus on citrus could be interpreted as a nod to the agricultural landscape and the importance of these fruits in various global cultures. Moreover, the reference to "new dry lands" suggests the introduction of citrus fruits to Australia, tying the poem to a narrative of colonization and adaptation.

Themes: Pleasure, Mortality, and Perception

One central theme is the celebration of sensual pleasure, particularly through taste and sight. Murray lavishes attention on the colors, textures, and flavors of each fruit, from the "rippled" greens of the citrus grove to the "squint taste of a lemon." This sensory richness highlights the simple joys available in the natural world. Another prominent theme is an awareness of mortality and the passage of time. The image of the crow reducing an orange to a "parched void scrotum" introduces a note of decay and the inevitable end of things. This is further reinforced by the melancholy implied in the lines about never seeing the sun except in "blue translation." The poem also meditates on perception and how we experience the world. The lines about the mandarin asking how it could see the sun if it wasn't eaten suggest that consumption – whether literal or metaphorical – allows for a deeper understanding of existence. The "five o'clock shadow" on children's cheeks becomes a symbol of approaching adulthood and the loss of innocence, a subtle yet potent observation.

Symbolic Groves: Imagery and Its Meanings

The citrus grove itself acts as a potent symbol of abundance and possibility. It represents a space where life thrives and where sensory experiences are heightened. The image of the groves as "fantastically open treasure sacks, tied only at the ground" evokes a sense of generosity and natural wealth freely offered. The contrast between the artificial "unwalkable dream lawn" in Al-Andalus and the "fruit-roofed ambulatory" highlights the tension between curated beauty and natural abundance. The oranges themselves are complex symbols. While they represent sweetness and nourishment, the image of the drained orange suggests the fleeting nature of pleasure and the inevitability of decay. The "blood orange" imagery connects the fruit to vitality and life force but also hints at a vulnerability.

A Final Taste: Synthesis and Significance

"Ripe In The Arbours Of The Nose" is more than just a descriptive poem about citrus fruits; it's a meditation on life, death, and the senses. Through vibrant imagery and playful language, Murray invites the reader to savor the present moment and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world. The poem's blend of sensual pleasure and quiet melancholy creates a uniquely resonant experience, reminding us that even in the midst of abundance, the shadow of mortality lingers. The question of whether the orange "sees the sun" only through consumption invites us to consider the multifaceted ways we engage with and understand the world around us, challenging us to not only observe but also to truly experience life in all its richness.