Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In “Afternoon Happiness,” Carolyn Kizer artfully explores the tension between the everyday contentment found in a loving relationship and the traditional poetic inspiration derived from pain and tragedy. The poem reflects on the inherent conflict for a poet who seeks to find meaning and create art in a life that, for once, seems devoid of the profound sorrow that typically fuels deep, resonant poetry.

The poem begins with the speaker at a party, contemplating seeking free advice from a psychiatrist. This humorous and self-aware introduction sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which balances lightness with introspection. The speaker, who identifies as a poet, muses about the necessity of life’s awfulness as “grist” for their creative mill. Happiness, in contrast, is likened to a fleeting “Chinese meal,” while sorrow is described as a “nourishment forever,” suggesting its enduring influence on the poet’s work.

Kizer delves into the speaker’s current life in California, a place characterized by its dreamlike quality. The speaker expresses concern about forgetting how to brood, an essential state for a poet traditionally nourished by melancholy. The reference to not drinking “as much as I should” further underscores a sense of dislocation from the typical poet’s lifestyle of excess and introspection.

The speaker’s desire to write a happy poem on love or happiness itself is met with frustration. The minor abrasions of daily life and shared space with a partner don’t seem sufficient to replace the grandeur of tragedy as a poetic muse. This sentiment is encapsulated in the line, “Ah, there's no substitute for tragedy!” The speaker acknowledges that their previous life, filled with loss and betrayal, provided ample material for poetry. In contrast, the current chapter is marked by stability and monogamy, even in the famously free-spirited environment of California.

Kizer’s poem shifts to a personal reflection on the speaker’s relationship. The speaker affectionately refers to their partner’s ex-mate as “my wife-in-law,” and humorously recalls their former husband, now seen as “just funny.” This light-hearted acceptance of past relationships speaks to a mature, enduring love. The speaker quotes Cyril Connolly, referring to marriage as an “endless nocturnal conversation,” suggesting that the mundane, ongoing dialogue of marriage might be its most profound aspect.

The speaker grapples with the idea of expressing their love in light verse, feeling it might lack the depth and gravity of “profoundest art.” The acknowledgment that one partner will inevitably die, breaking the other’s heart, introduces a moment of potential sorrow. However, the setting—described as “heaven-hills” with mourning doves and squirrels—emphasizes the peace and contentment of the present moment. The speaker’s old cat, warm on their lap, and the partner mending a favorite plate below, highlight the simple, domestic pleasures that define their current happiness.

In the closing lines, the speaker concedes that the “heavy poems” will have to come from past sorrows or future terrors. The poem ends on a poignant note, recognizing that while the speaker’s life is currently filled with “useless happiness,” this happiness is itself a rare and precious gift. The poem’s structure and progression reflect the speaker’s journey from contemplation and self-doubt to a quiet acceptance of their present joy, even if it defies the traditional sources of poetic inspiration. Kizer masterfully balances humor, introspection, and a deep appreciation for the ordinary moments that make up a life well-lived.