"I used to carry about with me a German map-case filled with poems"

In this evocative quote from John C. Hawkes, "I used to carry about with me a German map-case filled with poems", the juxtaposition of military imagery with the delicate art of poetry shows a deep and intricate relationship in between structure and creativity, utility and beauty. Here, Hawkes encapsulates a personal story that recommends both a gratitude for poetry and the impact or existence of military or structured order in his life.

The "German map-case", generally an utilitarian item created for practical functions in military contexts, functions as a vessel for poems, signifying a duality or stress in between the regimentation of military life and the free-flowing nature of poetic expression. This contrast hints at the possibility of discovering beauty and innovative introspection within the restraints of structured existence. Using "German" adds a layer of historical context, as it might evoke the age of World Wars or other considerable minutes where the military impact was pronounced, potentially connecting personal experience or the social background to the story.

By specifying that he "utilized to carry" the map-case, Hawkes may be reviewing a past stage of his life marked by a synthesis of these two relatively opposing forces-- energy and introspection, order and mayhem. This previous stage might represent a formative period where he looked for solace or implying through poetry amidst the more stiff needs of life, whether literal military service or metaphorical fights within a regimented society.

The "poems" themselves, nestled within the map-case, become treasures or artifacts of this individual journey. Poems, with their focus on language, feeling, and rhythm, exist as vital buddies, providing a counterbalance to life's structured and strategic needs. Hawkes's option to highlight a German map-case particularly, over any other type of bring device, might even more recommend a nuanced layer of personal or cultural history worth exploring, possibly connected to heritage or identity.