Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer's "Summer Near the River" interweaves themes of desire, fidelity, and the nuances of domestic life, drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese poetry, notably the Tzu Yeh and the Book of Songs. The poem creates an intimate atmosphere, capturing a moment of restless introspection and longing within a relationship marked by tension and unresolved emotions.

The poem begins with a vivid image of the speaker attempting to sleep on a windowsill, arms crossed on a pillow, amidst the stifling heat of a tepid morning. This opening sets a tone of discomfort and unease, both physically and emotionally: "I have carried my pillow to the windowsill / And try to sleep, with my damp arms crossed upon it, / But no breeze stirs the tepid morning." The stillness of the morning parallels the stagnation felt within the relationship, where even the air seems to conspire against any sense of relief.

The speaker's plea for a playful teasing from her partner underscores the lack of warmth and spontaneity in their interaction: "Come, tease me a little! / With such cold passion, so little teasing play, / How long can we endure our life together?" This request for a simple, affectionate gesture highlights a deeper yearning for connection and a rekindling of intimacy that has gone cold.

In a moment of resignation, the speaker dons her partner’s dressing-gown and engages in a mundane act of self-grooming, a symbolic attempt to reclaim some semblance of control or allure: "I kneel by the window, prop up your shaving mirror / And pluck my eyebrows." The deliberate exposure of her body, described with sensual detail, contrasts with the indifference she feels from her partner, emphasizing her vulnerability and desire to be noticed: "I don’t care if the robe slides open / Revealing a crescent of belly, a tan thigh."

The speaker reflects on her steadfast loyalty, metaphorically comparing herself to the North Star, a fixed point in the night sky, while lamenting her partner's fickle nature: "I am as monogamous as the North Star, / But I don’t want you to know it. You’d only take advantage. / While you are as fickle as spring sunlight." This juxtaposition of constancy and capriciousness creates a tension that underpins their relationship, where the speaker’s commitment is met with the partner’s unpredictable behavior.

The poem captures a moment of abandonment as the partner leaves, indifferent to the speaker’s presence: "All right, sleep! The cat means more to you than I. / I can rouse you, but then you swagger out." The imagery of the partner striding toward the river, reeking of fish and beer upon return, hints at infidelity or at least a profound disconnect between them: "When you return, reeking of fish and beer, / There is salt dew in your hair. Where have you been?"

The speaker's suspicions and insecurities surface as she questions the state of their relationship, yet she also acknowledges a deep bond that seems to momentarily mend their rift: "You couldn’t have loved someone else, after loving me! / I sulk and sigh, dawdling by the window. / Later, when you hold me in your arms / It seems, for a moment, the river ceases flowing." This concluding image of temporary reconciliation, where the river ceases flowing, symbolizes a brief respite from the emotional turmoil and a fleeting sense of unity and peace.

"Summer Near the River" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and commitment, drawing on the rich imagery and themes of classical Chinese poetry to convey the speaker’s inner turmoil and the dynamic tension within a seemingly fragile relationship. Kizer’s use of vivid, sensory details and metaphorical language creates a deeply intimate and evocative portrayal of love’s challenges and fleeting moments of solace.