Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer’s “Second Time Around” delves into the complex emotions surrounding love, loss, and the pursuit of ordinary contentment following an intense, yet exhausting, relationship. Through a reflective and almost confessional tone, the poem explores the protagonist’s transition from a tumultuous past to a more serene present, highlighting the intricate dance between memory and acceptance.

The poem opens by addressing the protagonist’s entanglement with a significantly more famous partner who has since vanished. This vanished partner, who was a source of both admiration and pressure, is now replaced by someone less conspicuous: "You marry again in haste, perhaps to a nurse / Or your late wife's good friend, / Someone whose name will never appear in print." This shift from a partner who was a public figure to someone more mundane reflects a desire for simplicity and normalcy after the chaos of a high-profile relationship.

Kizer captures the protagonist’s mixed emotions about this change. While acknowledging the genuine love for the previous partner, there is a palpable sense of relief: “You relished her fame, believing you meant it, / And love her you did, but you're so relieved she's gone.” This relief stems from the freedom from the “brilliant aura” and “physical dazzle” that defined the previous relationship. The protagonist’s current partner, described as “obliging and neutral, not too good looking,” represents a grounding force, someone who offers stability without the overwhelming intensity of the past.

The poem shifts to a celebration of the mundane: “How sweet to embrace the mundane, endorse the ordinary.” This line signifies a profound appreciation for the simplicity and predictability of everyday life. The protagonist finds comfort in the unremarkable, as symbolized by the “starchy smock or its ruffled apron” of the new partner. The imagery here evokes a sense of domestic tranquility, a stark contrast to the previous life filled with “celestial navigation” and “aerial bombardment.”

Despite the newfound peace, memories of the past linger. The protagonist occasionally sifts through the late partner’s papers “when you're bereft of ideas.” These papers, filled with sketches and snapshots of moments and people, serve as a reservoir of inspiration and nostalgia. The protagonist grapples with the temptation to revisit and flesh out these fragments, acknowledging the creative spark they hold. Yet, there is also a conscious effort to move on, to stop thinking about the past and focus on the present: “With a minor effort of will you stop thinking about her.”

The poem concludes with a poignant image of the new partner tiptoeing into the study with a cup of coffee. This simple act encapsulates the essence of the new relationship—quiet, supportive, and devoid of the grandiosity of the past. The new partner, whether named Bronwyn, Elsie, or Carole, represents a new chapter defined by gentle care and routine.

“Second Time Around” by Carolyn Kizer masterfully juxtaposes the extraordinary with the ordinary, highlighting the protagonist’s journey from a life overshadowed by brilliance to one embraced with simplicity. Through vivid imagery and introspective narrative, the poem captures the bittersweet nature of moving on, where past memories coexist with present contentment. The poem ultimately suggests that while the allure of the past may persist, the quiet comfort of the present offers its own form of fulfillment.