The rhythms of the factory floor, the quiet endurance of its workers and the subtle yearning for something beyond the daily grind are powerfully explored in “plastic,” a book-length poem cycle by Northern Irish poet Matthew Rice. Published in the UK by Fitzcarraldo Editions and in the US by Soft Skull Press, the collection uses time-stamped poems to immerse readers in the experience of a 12-hour night shift, revealing moments of resilience and a poignant awareness of unrealized potential.
Rice’s work isn’t about grand narratives or seismic events; it’s about the tiny, often overlooked details of working-class life. The poems, as described in a review, offer “cherished fragments of perception seeking a moment of freedom from the tyranny of its time-stamp.” This focus on the mundane, elevated through careful observation and lyrical language, creates a compelling portrait of individuals navigating the constraints of their socio-economic circumstances.
Two poems, “01.29” and “05.29,” exemplify this approach. “01.29” finds workers on a break, their gaze turned upwards, but their perception grounded in the immediate. The stars are not distant celestial bodies, but rather “the exhaled Milky Way / of Bobby’s Golden Virginia,” a reference to tobacco smoke, linking the vastness of space to the everyday habit of a cigarette break. This imagery underscores the limited scope of their world, where even contemplation of the cosmos is filtered through the realities of their work and environment. The poem acknowledges a tension between aspiration and constraint, noting that “nothing seismic or anything approaching / truth” is found, yet recognizing the “insanity of depth” that might be risked by a more expansive imagination.
The second poem, “05.29,” shifts focus to “wee Gail,” a 70-year-old worker who has spent decades at her post. Rice’s description of Gail’s practiced movements – “her hands are old at the task, old at working the tricks that come / with having laboured / in the same place for so long” – is both respectful and observant. She “makes light work / of sifting defective ring washers / from those within tolerance,” a task elevated by the poet’s imagination to something akin to a performance: “her bench could be a grand piano, / her patch of floor a stage.”
The Weight of Labor and the Echoes of Rancière
Rice’s work is deeply informed by the ideas of French philosopher Jacques Rancière, specifically his 1830 book “Proletarian Nights: The Worker’s Dream in 19th-Century France.” Rancière posited that laborers possess a desire for freedom from their work and a latent creative potential. Rice directly addresses the “mental and physical costs of the labour treadmill,” and the suppression of that potential in the lives of his subjects. The poem about Gail, in particular, is presented as a direct expression of this vision.
The poet’s ability to find beauty and dignity in the seemingly monotonous tasks of factory work is striking. He doesn’t shy away from the limitations imposed by the work, but instead finds a way to celebrate the skill and resilience of those who perform it. The image of Gail, skillfully sorting washers, is transformed into something graceful and even artistic, suggesting that creativity can flourish even within the most constrained environments.
AI and the Future of Work: A Looming Parallel
The themes explored in “plastic” resonate powerfully in the context of contemporary discussions about automation and the future of work. As artificial intelligence increasingly takes over tasks previously performed by humans, the question of what constitutes meaningful work and how to ensure access to self-fulfillment becomes increasingly urgent. Rice’s poems serve as a reminder of the human cost of labor and the importance of recognizing the potential within every individual, regardless of their occupation. The fulfillment of Rancière’s ideal – freedom from the necessity of labor – is now closer than ever, but the challenge lies in ensuring that this freedom is equitably distributed and that individuals have the resources and opportunities to pursue their passions.
“plastic” is more than just a collection of poems; it’s a testament to the enduring human spirit and a call for a more just and equitable future. The work transcends its specific setting, offering a universal meditation on the value of labor, the power of imagination, and the importance of recognizing the dignity of all work.
As automation continues to reshape the job market, the questions raised by Rice’s poetry – about the meaning of work, the value of human potential, and the equitable distribution of opportunity – will only become more pressing. What will it indicate to find fulfillment in a world where traditional forms of labor are increasingly obsolete?
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