Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon's poem "At the Spanish Steps in Rome" reflects on the final days of the poet John Keats, who sought refuge in Rome to escape the harsh English winter and to alleviate the symptoms of his tuberculosis. Through evocative imagery and a compassionate narrative, Kenyon delves into themes of illness, friendship, and the poignant contrast between life and death.

The poem begins by situating Keats in Rome: "Keats had come with his friend Severn / for the mild Roman winter." The choice of Rome, with its gentler climate, symbolizes a glimmer of hope and an attempt at recovery. Kenyon paints a vivid picture of their afternoons: "Afternoons / they walked to the Borghese Gardens / to see fine ladies, nannies with babies, / and the dapper mounted officers / whose horses moved sedately / along the broad and sandy paths." This scene captures the liveliness and charm of Roman society, juxtaposing the vibrancy of life against Keats's deteriorating health.

As Keats's illness worsens, the poem shifts to the steadfast support of his friend, Joseph Severn: "Severn kept trying in that stoutly / cheerful English way: he rented a spinet, / hauled it three flights, turning it end / up on the landings, and played Haydn every day." Severn's efforts to bring comfort to Keats, despite the physical and emotional toll, highlight the depth of their friendship and Severn's unwavering dedication.

Kenyon poignantly illustrates the depth of Keats's despair: "Love letters lay unopened in a chest. / 'To see her hand writing would break my heart.'" The unopened letters signify Keats's emotional and physical exhaustion, as well as the pain of being separated from his loved one. His increasing anger and sense of futility are captured in the line: "The poet’s anger rose as his health sank." This culminates in a dramatic moment of defiance: "One day while Severn and the porter / watched he flung, dish by dish, his catered / meal into the street." This act of throwing his meal into the street symbolizes Keats's rebellion against his circumstances and the impending inevitability of his death.

The poem transitions to the present day, where Keats's room has been turned into a museum: "Now the room where Keats died is a museum, / closed for several hours midday with the rest / of Rome." Kenyon's observation of the room's current state evokes a sense of historical reverence and the passage of time. The curator's "pale, / exceptionally round face" peering down adds a touch of humanity to the museum's austere preservation of the past.

The final lines, "Everything that was not burned that day / in accordance with the law is there," allude to the Roman practice of burning the possessions of those who died from contagious diseases. This reinforces the sense of loss and the measures taken to prevent further suffering.

In "At the Spanish Steps in Rome," Jane Kenyon masterfully intertwines historical narrative with reflective poetry. Her evocative language and compassionate portrayal of Keats's final days invite readers to contemplate the fragility of life, the enduring power of friendship, and the poignant contrast between the vibrancy of Rome and the somber reality of Keats's illness. The poem serves as a meditation on the intersection of history and personal suffering, capturing the enduring impact of Keats's life and legacy.

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