Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer’s “Gerda” is a poignant and deeply reflective poem that explores themes of childhood attachment, loss, and the indelible impact of a caretaker’s love on a young life. Through vivid imagery and detailed memories, Kizer captures the essence of Gerda, a Swedish housemaid who played a crucial role in the narrator’s early years.

The poem opens with a heart-wrenching scene: “Down the long curving walk you trudge to the street, / Stoop-shouldered in defeat, a cardboard suitcase / In each hand.” This image sets the tone for Gerda’s departure, a moment of profound loss for the child who watches her go. The child's desperate cries and the mother's stony resolve underscore the emotional complexity of the situation, highlighting the financial and emotional pressures that led to Gerda’s departure.

Kizer then delves into the multifaceted role Gerda played in the household: “To sew, cook, keep house, dress and undress the child, / Bathe the child with the rough scaly hands / she cleans in Clorox; sing to the child / In Swedish, teach her to pray, to count on her toes / In Swedish.” Gerda’s influence is profound and multifarious, encompassing both care and cultural education. Her impact on the child is lasting, evidenced by the child’s continued ability to sing, pray, and count in Swedish decades later.

The poem juxtaposes Gerda’s nurturing presence with the harsh realities of the Depression era, emphasizing the economic constraints that dictated her wage of twenty-five dollars a month. The child's fear for Gerda’s future, as she trudges to the bus and train, reflects a deep empathy and concern: “Deep in the Depression, the child fears for her / As Gerda trudges down the walk, four blocks to the bus, / Then the train to Minneapolis. What will she do?”

Kizer’s detailed recounting of Gerda’s contributions, from sewing a quilt adorned with fabulous animals to making fattigmand, a beloved treat, emphasizes the deep bond and the daily rituals that defined their relationship. The quilt, a tangible artifact of Gerda’s love and labor, becomes a symbol of the enduring connection, passed down through generations.

The narrative also explores the child’s internal world, filled with vivid dreams and a recurring sense of entrapment, symbolized by the ice-house dream: “The child stands in a little room of ice; / Outside a song begins, impossibly nostalgic, / Played on a concertina or harmonium.” This dream, recurring and laden with a sense of impending enclosure, mirrors the child’s feelings of loss and longing for Gerda’s comforting presence.

The poem’s structure, moving between past and present, enhances the sense of ongoing impact and unresolved longing. The adult’s futile search for Gerda in Minneapolis, decades later, underscores the enduring void left by her absence: “She calls from the top / As the hands of the clock spin round. / Gerda! Gerda! Half-a-page / With answers none, or ancient whispery Norse voices.” This desperate attempt to reconnect with Gerda reveals the depth of the bond and the lingering sense of incompletion.

Kizer’s language is rich with sensory details, evoking the textures, smells, and sounds of childhood memories. The depiction of Gerda’s rough, scaly hands, the smell of the ironed dress, and the tactile memory of being scrubbed with a loofah create a vivid, immersive experience for the reader.

In the closing lines, the poem circles back to the child’s eternal call for Gerda, now from another life: “Now from another life she summons you / Out of the earth or aether, wherever you are, / Gerda, come back, to nurse your desolate child.” This invocation of Gerda’s spirit underscores the profound and lasting impact of her love and care, a longing that transcends time and space.

“Gerda” by Carolyn Kizer is a beautifully crafted exploration of the deep emotional bonds formed in childhood and the lasting impact of those who nurture us. Through rich imagery and poignant reflection, Kizer captures the essence of love, loss, and the enduring quest for connection. The poem is a tribute to the power of caregiving and the profound effect it has on the lives of those who receive it.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...