Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"On Sending Home My Civilian Clothes" by John Ciardi is a poignant reflection on the transformation from civilian to soldier, exploring themes of identity, duty, and the profound changes wrought by military service. Through the act of bidding farewell to his civilian clothing, the speaker metaphorically addresses the deeper farewell to his civilian life and identity, marking a significant transition in his existence.

The poem begins with a tender, almost reverent farewell to the speaker's "good duds," a collection of personal items that include a tie, shirt, scarf, gloves, and gabardine. These items, described as "inanimate, serene," are imbued with a sense of closeness and familiarity, as if they are not just clothing but companions that have shared the speaker's experiences. The mention of weathers that "never touched my skin" coming down on these clothes suggests a bond between the speaker and his garments, highlighting how they have borne the elements on his behalf, protecting him and, in a sense, living his life with him.

The speaker's decision to consign these clothes to mothballs signifies more than just a physical packing away; it represents a deliberate choice to leave behind a former self, as he steps into a new role defined by "a change of place and Law." This transition is underscored by the transformation into "the stalker whose name is Claw," a metaphor that conveys the predatory nature of the soldier's role, as well as the harsh realities and expectations of military life.

The imagery of "olive drab and three-pound shoes" trampling "down the hills of Choose" illustrates the loss of individuality and personal choice, replaced by the uniformity and obligations of military service. The speaker's acknowledgment of the "transformation done" and his acceptance of his new identity—"My map is Do, my hand, a gun"—reflects a resignation to the duties and actions that now define him.

As the poem progresses, the speaker elaborates on the new identity he has assumed, one marked by badges, a numbered throat, and an engine set on his will "To measure, pity, stalk, and kill." This description reveals the mechanization of the soldier, who must now operate within the parameters of his orders, his emotions and personal judgments subordinated to the demands of warfare.

The closing lines of the poem, "Already foreign as I guess / The postage to a lost address," convey a sense of irrevocable change and alienation. The speaker recognizes that he has become a foreign entity to his former life, with the metaphor of "the postage to a lost address" suggesting that he can no longer return to who he once was, both literally and figuratively.

"On Sending Home My Civilian Clothes" is a powerful meditation on the transformation from civilian to soldier, exploring the sacrifices, changes, and acceptance of a new identity that come with military service. Ciardi's poem captures the emotional complexity of this transition, offering a nuanced exploration of the themes of identity, duty, and the impact of war on the individual.

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