Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Transplanting," Roethke describes the process of transplanting young plants and the delicate care required to ensure their growth. The poem is structured around a series of actions and movements, described in detail, as the hands of the gardener go through the motions of lifting, sifting, twisting, and tamping. The language is precise and rhythmic, capturing the physicality of the task at hand.

Through this close attention to the details of planting, Roethke suggests a deep appreciation for the beauty and fragility of life. The young plants are described as having "bunched roots" and "thin spines," and the act of transplanting them is treated with the utmost care and attention. The poem is a meditation on the wonder of growth and the power of the natural world, as the plants extend "out into the sweet air" and "reach for the light."

Overall, "Transplanting" is a quiet, meditative poem that invites the reader to slow down and take notice of the small moments of beauty and growth that surround us every day.