Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Momma Said" by Calvin Forbes is a charming and reflective poem that explores themes of nostalgia, the fleeting nature of experiences, and the wisdom conveyed through simple sayings. Forbes uses the metaphor of eating a slice of cake to delve into deeper emotional truths about longing, the passage of time, and the poignant lessons embedded in maternal advice.

The poem opens with a sense of regret and yearning for the past: "The slice I ate I want it back / Those crumbs I swept up / I’d like my share again." This immediate expression of wanting to reclaim what has been consumed or lost sets the tone for the poem. The speaker reminisces about the cake, not just as a food item but as a symbol of cherished moments that are both "nourishing and sweet."

The line "The memory by itself is delicious" transitions the narrative from a literal piece of cake to the metaphorical sweetness of memories. Each remembered "bite" becomes a "small miracle," emphasizing how past joys, even small ones, can provide sustenance to our emotional lives. The wish to have "saved just a little bit" speaks to a common human desire to hold onto fleeting moments, to make happiness last a bit longer.

Forbes cleverly introduces a proverbial saying to deepen the poem's theme: "You can’t have your cake / And eat it too Momma said." This adage about the impossibility of possessing something while also consuming it encapsulates the essence of the poem's meditation on memory and loss. It suggests the inherent contradictions in wanting to preserve a moment while also fully experiencing it.

The speaker's youthful defiance against this wisdom, "And answered yes I can too," adds a layer of personal growth and the universal journey from youthful arrogance to mature understanding. The mother’s response, "The look she gave me said boy / I hope you aren’t a fool all your life," is a moment of parental admonishment and love, hinting at the hope that with age comes wisdom.

Overall, "Momma Said" is a beautifully crafted poem that uses the simple act of eating cake as a metaphor for larger life lessons about appreciating the present and understanding the limitations of our desires. Forbes's poem resonates with the sweetness of nostalgia and the bitter-sweetness of learning and growing up under the gentle guidance of parental wisdom. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of learning from life's simple truths, often expressed by those who care for us most.

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