Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Jane Hirshfield's "Things Keep Sorting Themselves," the poet takes on the theme of inherent but uncalculated separations-both tangible and abstract-that organize life. The poem scrutinizes the phenomena of division and categorization, contrasting the planned with the unplanned, and examining how these forces shape human existence.

The opening lines set the tone with an inquiry into the self-awareness of elements: "Does the butterfat know it is butterfat, / milk know it's milk?" These questions challenge the notion of inherent identity, inviting us to consider whether things are innately aware of their own categorization, or whether this is a concept imposed from the outside. Here, the poem subtly nods towards questions about determinism and free will. The answer is swift and conclusive: "No. / Something just goes and something remains." This suggests an inevitability in the categorization and the transformation of things, a sorting that occurs regardless of awareness or intention.

The metaphor of a "boardinghouse table" with men on one side and women on the other encapsulates the theme. Though "nobody planned it," an unspoken arrangement takes place, a division occurs. This image serves as an allegory for societal roles and norms, which often arise without any explicit agreement yet exert a compelling force upon people's behaviors. The unthinking arrangement of "plaid shirts next to one another" furthers the idea that sometimes patterns emerge without premeditation, reflecting perhaps our natural gravitation towards what feels familiar or similar.

In the lines "Nobody plans to be a ghost," Hirshfield incorporates the specter of mortality as the ultimate unplanned transformation. This adds a poignant layer to the poem, reminding us that despite our intentions or lack thereof, certain paths are inescapable.

Towards the end, the poem shifts its focus to the young, who "sit in the kitchen," oblivious to the fact that "soon enough, they'll be the ones / to stumble Excuse me and quickly withdraw." This speaks to the inescapable procession of time and the generational turnover that none can avoid. Just as no one plans to become a 'ghost,' no one anticipates growing older and yielding their place to a younger generation-yet it happens all the same.

"Things Keep Sorting Themselves" masterfully unravels the complexities of life's organization, which often occurs without explicit intention. It delves into how we are continuously sorted and re-sorted-by gender, age, mortality-without our explicit consent or even our awareness. The poem leaves us contemplating these divisions and transformations, making us ponder the invisible forces that steer our lives, as we navigate through both the planned and unplanned corridors of existence.

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