Analysis of "Burial" by Robert McAlmon

 Poem Found Here: "Burial" by Robert McAlmon

This is a definition and a eulogy.  Based on the title, the poem sounds like a eulogy for a mathematician; however, the opening line, "Geometry is a perfect religion" both a man made construct that explains eternity, but Geometry appears to explain better.

"Axiom after axiom: / One proves a way into infinity / And logic makes obeisance at command."  The repetition of axiom reconfirms this idea of he established truth that one can prove a way into infinity through numbers.  Possibly the soul as well, but numbers definitely, and by doing so man is in control.

However, "Outside of the triangle, cubes, and polystructures / There is a restless pummeling, pounding and taunting."  Here is where the poem feels more like a eulogy.  The physical aspect of "pummeling, pounding, and taunting" can't be found in just triangles, cubes, and polystructures.  This is where the very physical and human aspect comes into play.  Geometry, for the most part, is conceptual, just like religion.  And yet both are different channels that explain infinity, "Their end is diffused into channels"

"Every step into eternity--and steps are endless."  The last line seems to be repetition, but the line comes off as an inverse definition.  Steps are eternity and steps are endless.  Note how endless is connected to the "end"  in the previous line which can be diffused into different channels.  

Death creates an infinite ways to mourn: spiritually, logically, mathematically to name a few, that in regardless of axiom or not, there'll be an infinite ways to grieve as well.