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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

IN KNOWLWEDGE OF YOUNG BOYS, by         Recitation by Author     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"In Knowledge of Young Boys" by Toi Derricotte is a profound meditation on the pre-birth existence and the deep, primordial connection between a mother and her child. The poem explores themes of identity, formation, and the inevitable journey towards individuality and separation. Derricotte uses vivid and sometimes startling imagery to capture the essence of life before its entry into the world, presenting a narrative that is both intimate and universal.

The poem begins with a striking declaration of knowing the child "before you had a mother," suggesting an awareness and connection that transcends physical birth. The description of the child as "newtlike, swimming, / a horrible brain in water" evokes the raw, unformed potential of life in its earliest stages, a being in the process of becoming, yet fundamentally isolated in its self-contained existence.

Derricotte reflects on the child's initial state of pure being and potential, "when your connections / belonged only to yourself," highlighting the solitary nature of existence before the complexities of life and relationships begin to shape us. The imagery of the child as a "barnacle," without history, sustenance, or direction, underscores the theme of nascent life awaiting the experiences that will define its identity.

The transformation from this solitary existence to one of connection and awareness is captured in the evolution from an entity that is "all / eyes and a cocktail, blank as the sky of a mind" to one that is capable of experiencing pain and wonder. The "one terrible eye / open in the center of your head" symbolizes the awakening to consciousness, to the realities of pain, and to the beauty of the universe, marked by the turning night and blinking stars.

The shared experience of swimming "in the last trickle of champagne / before we knew breastmilk" metaphorically speaks to the shared journey of mother and child before the realities of the physical world take hold. This bond, formed in the "night of the closet," suggests a closeness and unity that is both comforting and suffocating, a parasitic relationship that feeds on the essence of their being.

The closing lines of the poem reflect on a time before the imposition of identity and memory, "we were oak without / mouth, uncut, we were / brave before memory." This return to a state of pure potential and unmarked existence serves as a poignant reminder of the innocence and bravery inherent in the state of pre-birth, a time of unity with the maternal figure before the inevitable individuation process begins.

"In Knowledge of Young Boys" is a powerful exploration of the elemental bond between mother and child, a bond that exists even before birth. Through her evocative use of language and imagery, Derricotte captures the mystery and miracle of life's beginnings, inviting the reader to ponder the profound connections that define our most primal relationships.


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