Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Honey Bear" by Eileen Myles captures a moment of self-reflection that comes alive in the solitude of a kitchen. This poem, written in free verse, examines the passage of time, self-perception, and the intimate relationship between the speaker and ordinary objects, like a honey bear. The poem is also filled with little contrasts-between youthful intent and the passage of time, between the desire to consume and the act of observation.

The opening lines set the stage with Billie Holiday on the radio, situating us in a space that is both personal and filled with external resonance. Billie Holiday, a figure often associated with sorrow and depth of emotion, contrasts with the seemingly mundane action of the speaker standing in the kitchen, contemplating their last night of "smoking youth." The impending milestone of turning thirty is declared with an air of self-acceptance, yet there's a palpable tension between the youth that's passing away and the arrival of a new chapter in life.

In this poem, the kitchen itself becomes a significant space-it is "very bright," which could signify clarity or harsh exposure. The brightness might be enabling this moment of self-examination, acting as a foil to the "pretty late" darkness outside. The speaker acknowledges their appearance, stating, "I'm not a bad-looking woman, I suppose," marking a kind of self-assessment that often comes with milestones like turning thirty.

Then, there's the honey bear-serving as both an object and a metaphor. At first, the honey bear is a tool to make the "odd sweet tea" even sweeter. But as the speaker observes the honey dripping down its face, the bear transforms into an object of empathy. The honey, caught "in the crevices beneath the bear's eyes," evokes tears, imbuing the plastic object with emotion. It becomes a reflection of the speaker's own emotional state-a blend of sadness and sweetness, of youth and age.

The repetition of the word "honey" in the closing lines serves as a form of address to both the bear and possibly the speaker themselves. "O honey" is an endearment, a term of comfort that someone might use to soothe a child or a loved one. It's as if the speaker is comforting themselves, acknowledging the complexities of life's transitions. The bear, though inanimate, becomes an emotional surrogate for the speaker, capturing the bittersweet essence of the moment.

Eileen Myles's "The Honey Bear" employs ordinary elements to illustrate complex emotions and transitions. The poem's structure and style-conversational and devoid of strict meter or rhyme-reflect the inner workings of a mind grappling with significant yet everyday experiences. It beautifully encapsulates the subtleties and profundities found in the small moments that make up our lives, all in the confines of a very bright kitchen.

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