Poem Analysis - Vertigo

Introduction: A Humorous Take on Aging

Les Murray's "Vertigo" is a darkly humorous and poignant reflection on the indignities of aging and the fear of losing one's balance, both literally and metaphorically. The poem begins with a near-slapstick account of a fall, then morphs into a broader meditation on mortality and the creeping need for assistance. Despite the grim subject matter, the poem maintains a wry tone, punctuated by moments of absurd imagery and a distinctly Australian vernacular. The poem's arc moves from specific personal anecdote to a universal contemplation of decline and eventual helplessness.

Theme of Vulnerability and Loss of Control

A central theme in "Vertigo" is the increasing vulnerability that comes with age and the corresponding loss of control over one's body and environment. The initial image of the speaker bleeding "like a tumbril dandy" after a shower fall immediately establishes this vulnerability. The absurd comparison of the speaker to a "tumbril dandy" – a flamboyant victim of the French Revolution – adds a layer of dark humor while emphasizing the unexpected and undignified nature of the fall. The longing for a "grab-bar of age" bolted to "all civilization" further underscores the speaker's desire for support and stability in a world that seems increasingly precarious. The image of "leaving your balance in the car" before facing the potential "launchway of tires off a brink" vividly illustrates the constant anxiety of losing control and facing dangerous consequences.

Mortality's Shadow: From Falls to Finality

The poem subtly but insistently confronts the theme of mortality. The series of stumbles described – "you stumble / over two stairs and club your forehead / on rake or hoe, bricks or fuel-drums" – suggests a gradual erosion of physical ability that inevitably leads towards death. These accidents, although seemingly minor, act as warnings of a deeper, more permanent decline. The reference to "Rome's eighth hill / heaped up out of broken amphorae" serves as a historical echo of accumulated refuse, a reminder that even great civilizations (and individuals) eventually crumble and leave behind only remnants. The final image of the "sunny day when / street detail whitens blindly to mauve" evokes a sense of fading vision and impending oblivion, as the world loses its sharpness and clarity.

Grab-Bars and Launchways: Symbols of Support and Peril

The poem utilizes potent symbols to represent both the desire for assistance and the ever-present threat of danger. The "grab-bar of age" symbolizes the need for support and security as one grows older. It's a practical object, but in the context of the poem, it also represents a longing for something to hold onto in the face of physical and existential instability. Conversely, the "launchway of tires off a brink" is a powerful image of uncontrolled descent and potential disaster. The brink suggests the precipice of death, and the "launchway of tires" conjures a chaotic, unstoppable fall. This duality highlights the tension between the desire for safety and the inevitability of decline. The seemingly innocuous phrase "please God" further emphasizes the speaker's precarious position, hinting at a reliance on forces beyond personal control.

Conclusion: Finding Humor in the Inevitable

"Vertigo" is a masterful exploration of aging and mortality, presented with a uniquely Australian blend of dark humor and poignant observation. The poem doesn't shy away from the indignities and anxieties of growing old, but it also finds a certain wry amusement in the face of the inevitable. Through vivid imagery and a conversational tone, Murray invites the reader to contemplate their own mortality and to perhaps find a bit of humor in the shared human experience of decline. The poem suggests that even as we seek support and stability, we must also acknowledge the precariousness of life and the ever-present possibility of a fall.