Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Savoir Faire" by Claribel Alegría is a thoughtful and introspective poem that uses the actions and attitudes of a black cat to explore themes of mortality, fear, and freedom. Through the comparison between the cat's uninhibited life and the speaker's own more cautious existence, Alegría delves into the human awareness of mortality and its impact on our approach to life.

The poem opens with a striking statement, "My black cat doesn't know he will die one day." This line immediately sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the blissful ignorance of the cat to its mortality. The cat's lack of awareness of its inevitable death is contrasted with the speaker's acute consciousness of this fact, a trait inherently human.

The cat's behavior is described in a way that suggests fearlessness and a natural grace. It "leaps from the rooftop light as air, climbs the tamarind tree barely scratching it," portraying an existence unburdened by the fear of death or injury. This carefree attitude extends to the cat's adventures, where it shows no dread in crossing bridges, dark alleyways, or encountering dangers like the "perfidious scorpion." The cat's actions embody a kind of freedom and spontaneity that often eludes humans, who are more aware of the risks and dangers in life.

The cat's approach to love is also noteworthy. It "falls in love with every cat he meets" and "refuses to be snared by a single love." This contrasts sharply with the speaker's admission of being snared "by a single love." The cat's multiple loves and refusal to be tied down metaphorically represent an embrace of life's various experiences and opportunities, unencumbered by the fear of loss or commitment.

The title "Savoir Faire," a French phrase meaning 'knowing how to do,' is ironic in this context. It usually denotes a kind of worldly knowledge and sophistication, yet in the poem, it is the cat's lack of knowledge about its mortality that allows it to live freely and without fear. The cat's savoir faire lies in its innate ability to live in the moment, untroubled by the complexities and anxieties that plague human existence.

In summary, "Savoir Faire" by Claribel Alegría is a reflective piece that contrasts the carefree, uninhibited life of a cat with the more constrained and fear-laden life of a human. Through this comparison, Alegría invites readers to ponder the impact of our awareness of mortality on how we live and love. The poem subtly questions whether true wisdom lies in living with a keen sense of our limits and end, or in embracing each moment and experience as freely and fully as the black cat

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