Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Insomnia" reflects on the intimate and increasingly elusive relationship between the speaker and sleep, framing the struggle with insomnia as a poignant metaphor for aging and the passage of time. The poem is a meditation on the loss of ease and comfort that once accompanied sleep, highlighting how the speaker’s relationship with their own body has changed over the years.

The poem begins with a nostalgic recollection: "I remember when my body / was a friend," suggesting that the speaker's body once provided a sense of companionship, reliability, and ease. This opening line sets the tone for a reflection on what has been lost as time has passed. The idea of the body as a "friend" conveys a sense of harmony and trust that the speaker once felt, contrasting with the current state of unease and disconnection.

The following lines compare sleep to "a good dog / [that] came when summoned." This metaphor evokes the image of a loyal and obedient companion that would appear when needed, reinforcing the sense of control and ease the speaker once had over their ability to sleep. The dog, a symbol of comfort and loyalty, contrasts sharply with the present reality where sleep no longer comes so easily or predictably.

As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the inevitable march of time: "The door to the future / had not started to shut." This line suggests that in the past, the future felt open and full of possibilities, unbounded by the limitations that come with age. The metaphor of a door slowly closing implies a growing sense of restriction and inevitability, as the speaker becomes more aware of their own mortality and the diminishing time ahead.

The poem then shifts to the present experience of lying "on my back / between cold sheets," which now "feel / like a rehearsal." The cold sheets evoke a sense of discomfort and loneliness, while the idea of lying in bed as a "rehearsal" hints at a preparation for death—a stark contrast to the ease and warmth that sleep once brought. This imagery underscores the speaker's anxiety and the sense of foreboding that accompanies insomnia, as each night becomes a reminder of the finite nature of life.

The final lines of the poem describe the "light...a stain in the east," signaling the arrival of dawn. This light, once a welcome symbol of a new day, is now marked by a sense of resignation and weariness. The word "stain" suggests something tainted or unwelcome, reflecting the speaker’s reluctance to face another day without the restorative power of sleep. Sleep itself is described as "reluctant / as a busy doctor," offering only a "little / of its time." This comparison reinforces the idea that sleep has become scarce and difficult to obtain, much like a doctor who has too many patients and too little time to give each one the care they need.

In "Insomnia," Linda Pastan uses the metaphor of sleep to explore themes of aging, loss, and the shifting relationship between the body and mind. The poem captures the speaker's longing for the simplicity and reliability of sleep that once came easily, and the sadness of realizing that this ease is now out of reach. Through its vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem poignantly conveys the speaker's sense of disconnection and the growing awareness of mortality that accompanies insomnia in later life.

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