Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Requiem" is a lament for the natural world, focusing on the destructive forces that have ravaged the speaker's surroundings. The poem is imbued with a deep sense of loss as it chronicles the decline of various elements of the landscape, drawing on imagery of both war and decay to convey the devastating impact of time and environmental degradation. Pastan's reflection on the cycle of life and death in nature is tender yet mournful, capturing the fragile beauty of the world as it fades.

The poem begins with a vivid image of destruction: "Last year an army of caterpillars ravished our woods, their tent cities everywhere." The metaphor of an "army" of caterpillars sets a tone of invasion and devastation, likening the insects to a force that aggressively consumes the environment. The phrase "tent cities" further emphasizes the pervasive and organized nature of this destruction, evoking a sense of siege. This imagery of invasion continues with the description of "Japanese beetles / in their newly-plated armor" that "came for the roses." The beetles, dressed in "armor," are depicted as soldiers in this ongoing battle, targeting the delicate roses as if they were part of a strategic campaign. The speaker's helplessness is palpable as they observe this destruction, "even as we watched," suggesting a sense of powerlessness in the face of nature's relentless forces.

As the poem progresses, the focus shifts to the aftermath of these invasions: "Now, riddled with mold / the dogwoods fade out, leaf by heart-shaped leaf." The dogwoods, once vibrant, are now succumbing to decay, "riddled with mold" and losing their leaves one by one. The "heart-shaped" leaves emphasize the emotional connection the speaker has with these trees, making their decline all the more poignant. The repetition of "I remember" in the following lines underscores the speaker's sense of loss and nostalgia: "I remember / the stories of Dutch elms withdrawing their prodigal gifts of shade." Here, the speaker recalls the decline of the Dutch elms, another victim of environmental forces, and the word "prodigal" suggests both abundance and waste, as these trees once gave generously but were ultimately lost.

The poem then turns to a more specific and personal memory: "I remember the seventeen-year locusts, how we walked, umbrellas raised against their bodies raining down on us; how they unravelled the poplars, one stitch at a time." The image of walking beneath a rain of locusts, protected only by umbrellas, evokes a surreal and almost apocalyptic scene. The locusts "unravelled the poplars, one stitch at a time," further reinforcing the idea of nature's slow, methodical destruction. The use of "stitch" connects the natural world to something handmade and delicate, emphasizing the care and attention that is undone by these forces.

Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, the speaker acknowledges the dual nature of the earth: "Though the earth may comfort us on her voluminous lap, giving with one flower-filled hand as she takes away with the other." This line suggests a bittersweet understanding of nature's cycles of growth and decay, where creation and destruction are intertwined. The earth is personified as a nurturing figure, offering comfort and beauty even as she takes life away, embodying the paradox of nature's simultaneous generosity and cruelty.

The poem concludes with a poignant image of the dogwoods: "I will mourn these milky brides betrothed to spring, still standing lithe as girl gymnasts on the grass, here at the edge of winter." The dogwoods are described as "milky brides," a metaphor that highlights their purity and fragility, as well as their connection to the season of renewal. However, the fact that they are "betrothed to spring" suggests that they are destined for an uncertain future, caught between the promise of new life and the reality of decay. The comparison to "girl gymnasts" emphasizes their grace and youth, but also their vulnerability as they stand on the threshold of winter, a season associated with death and dormancy.

"Requiem" is a mournful meditation on the impermanence of the natural world and the inevitability of decline. Through its rich imagery and reflective tone, the poem captures the beauty and fragility of life, while also acknowledging the forces of destruction that threaten it. Pastan's use of metaphor and personification creates a deep emotional connection between the speaker and the landscape, making the poem not just a lament for lost trees and flowers, but also a reflection on the broader themes of mortality and the passage of time.

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