On the Move by Thom Gunn

 The blue jay scuffling in the bushes follows

Some hidden purpose, and the gust of birds

That spurts across the field, the wheeling swallows,

Has nested in the trees and undergrowth.

Seeking their instinct, or their poise, or both,

One moves with an uncertain violence

Under the dust thrown by a baffled sense

Or the dull thunder of approximate words.

On motorcycles, up the road, they come:

Small, black, as flies hanging in heat, the Boys,

Until the distance throws them forth, their hum

Bulges to thunder held by calf and thigh.

In goggles, donned impersonality,

In gleaming jackets trophied with the dust,

They strap in doubt – by hiding it, robust –

And almost hear a meaning in their noise.

Exact conclusion of their hardiness

Has no shape yet, but from known whereabouts

They ride, direction where the tyres press.

They scare a flight of birds across the field:

Much that is natural, to the will must yield.

Men manufacture both machine and soul,

And use what they imperfectly control

To dare a future from the taken routes.

It is a part solution, after all.

One is not necessarily discord

On earth; or damned because, half animal,

One lacks direct instinct, because one wakes

Afloat on movement that divides and breaks.

One joins the movement in a valueless world,

Choosing it, till, both hurler and the hurled,

One moves as well, always toward, toward.

A minute holds them, who have come to go:

The self-defined, astride the created will

They burst away; the towns they travel through

Are home for neither bird nor holiness,

For birds and saints complete their purposes.

At worst, one is in motion; and at best,

Reaching no absolute, in which to rest,

One is always nearer by not keeping still.

Thom Gunn's "On the Move" is a powerful poem that explores themes of freedom, identity, and the restless nature of human desire. Gunn, known for his concise, vivid language and exploration of contemporary issues, offers a nuanced portrayal of individuals who are constantly in motion—physically, emotionally, and metaphorically.

Themes and Interpretation

1. Restlessness and the Search for Identity:
   The poem captures the essence of modern dislocation and the feeling of never settling. The speaker is not just moving geographically but is also in a state of psychological flux. This restlessness could symbolize the human condition—our perpetual search for meaning, belonging, or an elusive sense of self.

2. Freedom vs. Constraint:
   There's an inherent paradox in the poem: while movement often represents freedom, it can also be a form of escapism, a way to avoid facing deeper emotional truths. The poem questions whether true freedom is found in perpetual motion or in the acceptance of one's circumstances.

3. Urban Landscape as a Metaphor:
   Gunn’s portrayal of the city is not just a backdrop but an active participant in the poem’s emotional landscape. The city’s hustle mirrors the internal chaos of the speaker, suggesting that the external environment often reflects our inner states.

Form and Style

• Free Verse and Direct Language:
  Gunn employs free verse, which complements the theme of unbound movement. His language is direct, almost conversational, which makes the poem feel immediate and relatable.

• Imagery and Symbolism:
  Vivid imagery dominates the poem, with urban settings, fleeting encounters, and transient moments all contributing to the feeling of impermanence. The poet’s choice of words often evokes both physical and emotional landscapes.

 Detailed Explanation

Stanza 1: The Natural World and the Idea of Movement

"The blue jay scuffling in the bushes follows"

• The blue jay represents a creature driven by instinct. "Scuffling" suggests a restless, perhaps chaotic motion. This line sets the tone for the theme of movement, both natural and instinctual.

"Some hidden purpose, and the gust of birds"

• The "hidden purpose" hints at an underlying drive or instinct that’s not immediately visible. "Gust of birds" is a vivid image, likening their flight to a sudden, forceful wind—symbolizing spontaneous, uncontrolled movement.

"That spurts across the field, the wheeling swallows,"

• The "spurts" convey a sudden, dynamic burst of activity, and "wheeling swallows" emphasizes freedom and grace, as swallows are known for their agile, circular flight patterns.

"Has nested in the trees and undergrowth."

• Despite their flight, these birds are grounded in their environment. This line connects the idea of movement to the natural world’s cycles, where movement always has a point of origin or return.

   

  Stanza 2: The Human Parallel—Motorcycles and Youth

  "Seeking their instinct, or their poise, or both,"

  • This line draws a parallel between birds and humans. Just as birds act on instinct, humans often seek a balance between natural drives and self-control ("poise").

  "One moves with an uncertain violence"

  • The movement is described as "uncertain violence," suggesting that human actions, like those of the birds, can be driven by powerful, unpredictable forces.

  "Under the dust thrown by a baffled sense"

  • "Dust thrown" could symbolize confusion or the chaotic aftermath of trying to understand one's purpose. "Baffled sense" implies a struggle to find clarity amid this turbulence.

  "Or the dull thunder of approximate words."

  • The "dull thunder" might refer to the noise of language that lacks clarity or meaning, perhaps the meaningless chatter that surrounds us in modern life.

     

    Stanza 3: The Arrival of the "Boys" on Motorcycles

    "On motorcycles, up the road, they come:"

    • Here, Gunn introduces the central figures—youth on motorcycles. Motorcycles are often symbols of freedom, rebellion, and the pursuit of identity.

    "Small, black, as flies hanging in heat, the Boys,"

    • The comparison to "flies" suggests both a sense of annoyance and an image of something small, persistent, and somewhat chaotic. The word "heat" could imply both literal heat and the metaphorical "heat" of youthful passion or recklessness.

    "Until the distance throws them forth, their hum"

    • This line describes how the boys' presence becomes more pronounced as they approach, their "hum" (the sound of the engines) growing louder.

    "Bulges to thunder held by calf and thigh."

    • The "bulges to thunder" suggests the growing intensity of the sound, while "held by calf and thigh" ties this power back to the physical effort of riding—control over raw energy.

       

      Stanza 4: Identity and the Illusion of Control

      "In goggles, donned impersonality,"

      • The goggles symbolize a mask, hiding personal identity and emotions. This suggests that the boys adopt a persona, perhaps to fit into a certain image of toughness or rebellion.

      "In gleaming jackets trophied with the dust,"

      • The "gleaming jackets" are a facade of polish, but they're "trophied with the dust," indicating that even their polished exterior bears the evidence of their journeys and struggles.

      "They strap in doubt – by hiding it, robust –"

      • This line reveals a paradox: they "strap in doubt" by pretending to be confident and strong. Their robustness is a shield against their inner uncertainties.

      "And almost hear a meaning in their noise."

    • The noise of their engines, the chaotic roar, seems to carry meaning—perhaps as a way to find purpose or identity in their rebellion.

       

      Stanza 5: The Futility and Drive of Human Endeavor

      "Exact conclusion of their hardiness"

      • This line questions whether their toughness or bravado has any real meaning or ultimate purpose.

      "Has no shape yet, but from known whereabouts"

      • Their destination or purpose is undefined, but they come from places they know, grounded in familiar experiences.

      "They ride, direction where the tyres press."

      • The direction is determined by where the tires press, suggesting that movement is influenced by external forces, not just internal choices.

      "They scare a flight of birds across the field:"

      • Their presence disrupts nature, symbolizing how human activity often disturbs the natural world.

      "Much that is natural, to the will must yield."

      • This line suggests that nature isn’t untouched—it yields to human will, whether through construction, technology, or other forms of control.

         

        Stanza 6: Philosophical Reflection on Movement

        "It is a part solution, after all."

        • Movement is a partial answer to life's questions—perhaps an attempt to find meaning through action, even if it’s not complete or satisfying.

        "One is not necessarily discord"

        • The speaker suggests that being in motion doesn’t equate to being in conflict with the world.

        "On earth; or damned because, half animal,"

        • Being "half animal" implies a mix of instinct and rationality, not something to be ashamed of.

        "One lacks direct instinct, because one wakes"

        • Humans may not have the same clear instincts as animals, but they "wake" to consciousness, self-awareness, and the ability to reflect.

        "Afloat on movement that divides and breaks."Life’s movement can be both unifying and fracturing, constantly shifting and challenging us.

      •  Stanza 7: The Nature of Existence and Identity

        "One joins the movement in a valueless world,"

        • In a world that lacks inherent meaning, people find purpose through movement itself.

        "Choosing it, till, both hurler and the hurled,"

        • Eventually, the person becomes both the one who initiates action ("hurler") and the one who is carried along by it ("hurled").

        "One moves as well, always toward, toward."

      • There’s an endless forward motion, always heading toward something, even if it’s undefined.

         

        Stanza 8: The Ephemeral Nature of Identity

        "A minute holds them, who have come to go:"

        • Their existence is fleeting, defined by their transience.

        "The self-defined, astride the created will"

        • They are both creators and products of their own will—self-defined but shaped by external forces.

        "They burst away; the towns they travel through"

        • Their departure from places symbolizes the impermanence of human life and connections.

        "Are home for neither bird nor holiness,"

        • Towns are temporary spaces, not true homes for natural beings or spiritual fulfillment.

        "For birds and saints complete their purposes."

      • Birds and saints (symbols of nature and spirituality) have clear purposes; humans are more lost in the search.

         

        Stanza 9: The Final Reflection on Movement

        "At worst, one is in motion; and at best,"

        • The worst case is simply existing in motion without purpose; the best case is finding meaning through that motion.

        "Reaching no absolute, in which to rest,"

        • There’s no ultimate destination or final resting place—life is a continuous journey.

        "One is always nearer by not keeping still."

        • Progress comes not from remaining stationary but from embracing the act of moving forward, even if the destination is unclear.