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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Jane Kenyon’s poem “This Morning” captures a tranquil, almost meditative scene of rural life, juxtaposing the weight of the first heavy snow with the simple, enduring routines of humans and animals. Through precise and evocative imagery, Kenyon explores themes of endurance, memory, and the quiet beauty of the everyday. The poem opens with a vivid image: “The barn bears the weight / of the first heavy snow / without complaint.” This line sets a tone of quiet resilience, suggesting the barn's steadfastness under the burden of snow. The personification of the barn "without complaint" highlights the acceptance and endurance inherent in rural life, setting the stage for the poem’s exploration of simplicity and strength. Kenyon continues with a serene depiction of the barn's interior: “White breath of cows / rises in the tie-up, a man / wearing a frayed winter jacket / reaches for his milking stool / in the dark.” The "white breath of cows" evokes a sense of warmth and life amidst the cold, and the image of the man in a frayed jacket suggests a life of hard work and modest means. The darkness of the early morning underscores the routine and dedication required to maintain this way of life. The poem takes a somber turn with the lines: “The cows have gone into the ground, / and the man, / his wife beside him now.” This poignant shift reveals the passage of time and the inevitability of loss. The image of the cows and the man having "gone into the ground" signifies death and burial, while the presence of the man’s wife beside him implies a reunion in the afterlife or a shared grave, adding a layer of tenderness to their enduring connection. Kenyon then returns to the present moment with a focus on the small, persistent acts of life: “A nuthatch drops / to the ground, feeding / on sunflower seed and bits of bread / I scattered on the snow.” This scene of the nuthatch feeding emphasizes the continuity of life and the small gestures of care that sustain it. The act of scattering food on the snow reflects the speaker's attention to the needs of the wildlife, reinforcing the interconnectedness of all living things. The poem concludes with a cozy domestic image: “The cats doze near the stove. / They lift their heads / as the plow goes down the road, / making the house / tremble as it passes.” The dozing cats add a sense of warmth and comfort, contrasting with the cold outside. The plow’s passage, causing the house to tremble, serves as a reminder of the larger world beyond the immediate, tranquil scene. The trembling house symbolizes the fragile balance of this rural existence, continually affected by external forces. In “This Morning,” Jane Kenyon masterfully captures the serene and enduring aspects of rural life, while also acknowledging the inevitable passage of time and loss. Through her precise and evocative language, she conveys the beauty of simple routines and the resilience required to maintain them. The poem invites readers to reflect on the small, everyday moments that compose a life, and the quiet strength found in accepting and enduring the cycles of nature. Kenyon’s ability to blend vivid imagery with profound reflection makes “This Morning” a poignant meditation on the rhythms of rural life and the enduring connections between people, animals, and the land they inhabit.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHYNESS OF THE MUSE IN AN ALMOND ORCHARD by MARK JARMAN KICKING THE LEAVES by DONALD HALL THE FARMER'S BOY: WINTER by ROBERT BLOOMFIELD THE FARMER'S BOY: SPRING by ROBERT BLOOMFIELD THE FARMER'S BOY: SUMMER by ROBERT BLOOMFIELD THE FARMER'S BOY: AUTUMN by ROBERT BLOOMFIELD |
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