Louise Gluck- Wild Iris

Wild Iris is a collection of poems by Louise Gluck. This group of poems is comprised of serene titles such as "Clear Morning", "Violets" and "Lullaby." At first glance this serenity can be deceiving. If one expects from the smoothly orchestrated language subject matter that reflects that demeanor, then they're expectations will be disappointed.
In various parts of the book, the poems switch narrative register. They move from the human "I" to the God-heah "I" and back all within pages of each other. This sounds like a daunting task, but it is this exploration of self-identity that makes the poems as profound as they are.
The juxtaposition of earthly physicality and abstract philosophical wanderings creates a balance between these two aspects of the poetic voice. When the speaker physically enters the world around her, it is not surprising but it makes sense in the logic of the poem.
depressives hate the spring, imbalance
between the inner and the other world. I make
another case- being depressed , yes, but in a sense passionately
attached to the living tree, my body
actually curled in the split trunk, almost at peace
in the evening rain
almost able to feel (pg 2)
From the position of the speaker, neither the identity of the God-head nor the human is written as superior. Instead, both inhabit a space that is full of despair, regret, nostalgia. Both have the capacity to recall a world that is long past. And it is because of this delicate balance that the poet can manage two seemingly grand extremes.