Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

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"My Father in the Night Commanding No" is a poem by Louis Simpson that was first published in 1985. It is a powerful and emotional exploration of the speaker's relationship with his father and the complexities of their connection.

Explanation:

The poem is structured as a series of memories and moments from the speaker's life with his father, who is depicted as a distant and sometimes difficult figure. The title itself suggests conflict, as the father is described as "commanding no" and refusing to allow the speaker certain freedoms.

The poem begins with an image of the father sitting in a chair, "sullenly glaring" at his son. The speaker reflects on how he was never able to truly connect with his father, despite his efforts. He remembers how his father would often shut him down, refusing to listen or engage with him.

As the poem progresses, the speaker delves deeper into the complexities of their relationship. He reflects on the times when his father would show him love and affection, such as when he would take him to the movies or teach him how to play poker. However, these moments were always fleeting, and the distance between them would always return.

The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on his father's death and how he still struggles with the pain and loss. He acknowledges that their relationship was fraught with difficulties, but he still longs for the connection that he never fully had with his father.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Imagery: The poem is rich in sensory details, particularly in its descriptions of the father and the speaker's memories of him.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is emotional and introspective, as the speaker grapples with his complex feelings about his father.
• Metaphor: The title itself is a metaphor for the father's refusal to allow the speaker certain freedoms and choices.

Conclusion:

"My Father in the Night Commanding No" is a powerful and emotional exploration of the complexities of a father-son relationship. Through vivid imagery and introspective language, Simpson conveys the difficulties and pain of trying to connect with a distant parent. The poem ultimately serves as a testament to the enduring nature of love, even in the face of loss and estrangement.

Poem Snippet:

"My father, sullenly glaring

from his great wooden chair

at my incompetence,

commanding no,

is present still in the silence,

though dead almost twenty years.

How many times he wished me dead!"

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