What does ultra fringe mean in this poem

Question

Still will I harvest beauty where it grows: In coloured fungus and the spotted fog Surprised on foods forgotten; in ditch and bog Filmed brilliant with irregular rainbows Of rust and oil, where half a city throws Its empty tins; and in some spongy log Whence headlong leaps the oozy emerald frog. . . . And a black pupil in the green scum shows. Her the inhabiter of divers places Surmising at all doors, I push them all. Oh, you that fearful of a creaking hinge Turn back forevermore with craven faces, I tell you Beauty bears an ultra fringe Unguessed of you upon her gossamer shawl!

Answer 1

In the poem, the phrase "ultra fringe" refers to the deeper, often overlooked aspects or dimensions of beauty that go beyond conventional definitions. The speaker suggests that beauty exists in unexpected and unconventional places—like the colorful fungus, spotted fog, or even in trash—that many people might not recognize or appreciate.

The use of "ultra" implies something that is extra or beyond the ordinary, while "fringe" suggests something that exists on the margins or edges of what is typically acknowledged. Together, "ultra fringe" indicates a richness of beauty that is often ignored or dismissed by those who are unwilling to explore beyond the familiar and conventional.

Thus, the speaker is advocating for a more open-minded and expansive view of beauty, one that includes the "gossamer shawl" of life’s experiences, which is filled with intricate and unexpected delights that may not be immediately seen by everyone. The poem highlights the contrast between those who embrace this broader vision of beauty and those who fear stepping beyond their comfort zones.