Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon’s poem “Twilight: After Haying” masterfully captures the serene yet contemplative aftermath of a day’s labor, blending observations of the natural world with profound reflections on life and mortality. Through vivid imagery and a meditative tone, Kenyon explores themes of toil, rest, and the inevitable separation of soul and body.

The poem begins with an acknowledgment of the day's end: “Yes, long shadows go out / from the bales; and yes, the soul / must part from the body: / what else could it do?” This opening lines introduce the concept of inevitability, both in the daily cycle and in the larger context of life and death. The long shadows cast by the hay bales symbolize the passage of time and the approaching twilight, while the assertion about the soul parting from the body sets a philosophical tone, suggesting an acceptance of life’s natural course.

Kenyon then shifts to a scene of rest: “The men sprawl near the baler, / too tired to leave the field. / They talk and smoke, / and the tips of their cigarettes / blaze like small roses / in the night air.” This depiction of the men, exhausted yet content, captures a moment of camaraderie and quiet reflection. The glowing cigarette tips, likened to “small roses,” add a touch of beauty to the mundane, emphasizing the simplicity and intimacy of the scene. The arrival of night is almost unnoticed, “It arrived / and settled among them / before they were aware,” highlighting the seamless transition from day to night.

The moon’s presence is personified in the next lines: “The moon comes / to count the bales,” suggesting a watchful and almost benevolent presence overseeing the field. The Whip-poor-will’s call from the dusty stubble adds an auditory dimension to the scene, reinforcing the connection between the natural world and the human experience. The repetition of “Whip-poor-will, Whip-poor-will” evokes a sense of continuity and timelessness.

Kenyon’s reflection on the intertwined nature of joy and suffering follows: “These things happen. . .the soul's bliss / and suffering are bound together / like the grasses. . .” This simile underscores the inextricable connection between positive and negative experiences, suggesting that they coexist and are woven together in the fabric of life, much like the intertwined grasses in the field.

The poem concludes with a sensory-rich description: “The last, sweet exhalations / of timothy and vetch / go out with the song of the bird; / the ravaged field / grows wet with dew.” The “sweet exhalations” of the grasses releasing their scent as night falls create a poignant image of the day’s end, mingling with the song of the Whip-poor-will. The word “ravaged” to describe the field evokes a sense of exhaustion and depletion, mirroring the tired men, while the dew signifies renewal and the promise of a new day.

In “Twilight: After Haying,” Jane Kenyon captures the essence of a day's labor coming to an end and the reflections it prompts about life’s cycles and inevitabilities. Through her evocative language and keen observation, she creates a rich tapestry of images and emotions that resonate deeply with the human experience. The poem invites readers to contemplate the beauty in the everyday, the interplay of joy and sorrow, and the quiet moments that define our existence. Kenyon’s ability to blend the mundane with the profound makes “Twilight: After Haying” a poignant meditation on life, work, and the passage of time.

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