Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer's "Twelve O'Clock" is a reflective and multifaceted poem that intertwines personal narrative with historical events, exploring the intersections of science, war, and individual experience. The poem captures moments of profound significance through the eyes of the speaker, juxtaposing the innocence of youth with the gravity of scientific and military advancements.

The poem begins with the speaker, at seventeen, recounting an opportunity to see Albert Einstein at Princeton. Her hosts inquire if she would like to meet him, but she feels she has nothing of interest to say to such a genius: "Just tell me where I can look at him," she replies. This response underscores her awe and the intimidating gap she perceives between herself and Einstein.

Kizer then delves into the speaker's background, revealing her mother's scientific training and reverence for the order of the universe, contrasting it with the speaker's youthful skepticism: "I was dead certain that uncertainty / Governed the universe, and everything else, / Including Mother's temperament." This tension between belief in order and acceptance of chaos becomes a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The poem shifts back to the speaker's anticipation of seeing Einstein. At noon, she witnesses him emerge from the library: "Baggy-kneed, sockless, slippered, with / The famous raveling grey sweater, / Clutching a jumble of papers in one hand / And in the other his brown sack of sandwiches." This ordinary yet iconic image of Einstein humanizes him, bridging the gap between his genius and the speaker's perceived inadequacy. Their brief, shared smile creates a moment of connection: "Vast genius and vast ignorance conjoined."

Kizer skillfully interweaves historical context, noting the date—December 6th—just before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent rush to develop nuclear weapons. This looming historical moment contrasts with the speaker's personal experience, highlighting the broader implications of scientific discovery and military action.

The narrative continues with the speaker's reflections on wartime experiences, such as young men enlisting and the grim reality of war: "I see their faces in the sallow light / As the train jolts, then starts up again, / Reaching Penn Station hours after midnight." These observations underscore the personal cost of global conflict.

The poem also touches on significant scientific figures and events. The speaker recalls hearing about Werner Heisenberg, "the most dangerous man alive," and the tension between scientific progress and its potential for destruction. The eventual news of Hiroshima's devastation brings this tension to a harrowing climax: "Their work had led to Hiroshima's 100,000 dead."

In a poignant twist, the speaker reflects on meeting Ernest O. Lawrence, another prominent scientist, on a train. Lawrence reassures her about the harnessing of the sun's rays, a statement that carries heavy irony given his involvement in the development of nuclear technology: "Of course we found out who he was and what he did, / At least as much as we could comprehend."

The poem concludes with the speaker now living near the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, reflecting on the anniversary of Hiroshima: "Everywhere, all over Japan / And Germany, people are lighting candles." This act of remembrance contrasts with the everyday noon in Berkeley, underscoring the ongoing impact of historical events on the present.

"Twelve O'Clock" is a meditation on the intersection of personal and historical narratives, scientific discovery, and the moral complexities of progress. Kizer's use of vivid imagery, historical context, and introspective reflection creates a rich tapestry that invites readers to consider the profound implications of our actions and the legacies they leave behind. Through the lens of a single moment—twelve o'clock—the poem encapsulates a world of meaning, bridging the gap between individual experience and collective history.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...