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MY MOTHER'S PANSIES, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"My Mother's Pansies" by Sharon Olds is a richly metaphorical poem that explores themes of sensuality, nature, and the complexities of feminine beauty and desire. Through the imagery of pansies growing behind the house, Olds delves into the delicate and potent allure of these flowers, drawing parallels between their physical characteristics and aspects of female sexuality and allure.

The poem begins with the speaker recalling the presence of pansies in the garden, describing their colors with a painter's eye for detail: "some silt blue, some silt yellow, most of them sable red or purplish sable." The choice of "silt" suggests a subtle, muted quality, while "sable red or purplish sable" evokes deep, rich hues, reminiscent of luxurious materials like velvet. This description sets the tone for the sensual and tactile imagery that follows.

Olds compares the texture of the pansies to "velvet curtains," noting that they seem so soft that they appear wet, yet are "dry as powder on a luna's wing." This simile captures the delicate, almost ethereal nature of the flowers, likening them to the fragile beauty of a luna moth's wing. The reference to "dust on an alluvial path, in a drought summer" suggests a sense of temporality and fragility, highlighting the fleeting nature of beauty and the delicate balance of life in harsh conditions.

The pansies are described as "open like lips, and pouted like lips," introducing a comparison between the flowers and human features, specifically lips, which are often associated with sensuality and expression. The "tiny fur-gold v" on the pansies is noted as something that irresistibly attracts bees, symbolizing the innate allure of the flowers. This imagery draws a parallel to the magnetic attraction that beauty and desire can evoke.

Olds then extends this metaphor to women, comparing various parts of flowers (lobes, sepals, corollas, spurs) to the often overlooked or underestimated aspects of femininity ("despised spathe, style-arm, standard, crest, and fall"). Despite societal tendencies to undervalue these aspects, the poem emphasizes the inherent allure and desirability of these "plush entries." The flowers are portrayed as inviting, with "night mouth, pillow mouth" and the suggestion that "anyone might want to push their pinky, or anything, into such velveteen chambers." This imagery conveys a sense of intimate exploration and the irresistible draw of softness and vulnerability.

The repeated phrases "touch-touch-touch, please-touch, please-touch" evoke a whispering, almost pleading tone, suggesting an intense, yet gentle desire for contact and connection. The comparison of the flowers' sexual organs to "a spirit-shy, flushed, praying" further anthropomorphizes the pansies, imbuing them with a sense of modesty and sacredness despite their overt sensual appeal.

"My Mother's Pansies" is a meditation on the intersection of nature, beauty, and desire. Sharon Olds uses the metaphor of pansies to explore the nuanced and often contradictory perceptions of femininity and sexuality. The poem suggests that, like the pansies, aspects of feminine beauty and sensuality are both fragile and powerful, vulnerable yet alluring. Through her evocative and richly descriptive language, Olds captures the complex emotions and societal attitudes surrounding these themes, inviting readers to reconsider and appreciate the depth and value of what might often be dismissed or overlooked.


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