Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Her Last August," by Sharon Olds, is a reflective and poignant elegy for the poet Jane Kenyon, capturing the depths of emotional turmoil and the struggle for understanding in the face of illness and impending loss. The poem navigates through themes of mortality, self-awareness, and the persistent human search for meaning, especially in times of profound grief and helplessness.

The poem opens with a vivid and almost surreal image of the speaker lying underwater, "on the bottom," looking up. This scene evokes a sense of detachment and isolation, as the speaker waits for "the gray shape of the wave to pass over like a swarm." The use of underwater imagery and the passage of time suggest a state of introspection and disorientation, highlighting the speaker's struggle to grasp the reality of the situation. The realization that "the wave did not pass" and the subsequent "woke up" moment signify a jarring awakening to the prolonged and perhaps inevitable nature of the impending loss.

As the speaker reflects on a conversation with a friend about Jane's deteriorating condition, there is an acknowledgment of the emotional void—"feeling empty might always be part of my life." The friend's remark about "the shining on others" potentially being a reflection of "the watcher's spirit" suggests that perceptions of others' experiences are often colored by one's own emotional state. The speaker's response to the news of Jane's worsening leukemia, suggesting that a bone marrow transplant "wasn't the worst thing," reveals a mix of fear, ignorance, and a perhaps misguided attempt at reassurance. The friend's abrupt departure ("he had to go, now") leaves the speaker in a state of self-reflection and guilt.

The speaker's admission of being unable to focus on anyone else, even amidst such a grave situation, points to a sense of self-centeredness that they recognize as a flaw. This introspection leads to a broader existential crisis, as the speaker grapples with feelings of inadequacy and the difficulty of maintaining civility in moments of intense personal distress. The line "I guess this is a breakdown, or I'm waking up to who I am" captures the speaker's realization of their own vulnerability and humanity, as they confront the raw reality of their emotions.

In a tender homage to Jane Kenyon, the speaker marvels at Jane's ability to "sing with such clear grace and power in the grip of the dread of life." This admiration highlights Jane's strength and resilience, even as she faces tremendous suffering. The image of Jane's "upper left temple" being "lost" serves as a metaphor for the physical and emotional erosion caused by her illness. The metaphorical cloud that "seems to stay on her face" represents the persistent nature of her suffering, yet also the steadfastness with which she faces it, continuing to "sing" through her pain.

The speaker's struggle with understanding how to live, admitting "I do not know how to live," reflects a universal human condition— the search for purpose and clarity in the face of life's uncertainties. The final lines convey a sense of seeking guidance from Jane's work, as the speaker picks up her book "at occluded sunrise." The term "occluded sunrise" symbolizes the unclear, obstructed view of a new day, possibly representing the challenges in finding hope or clarity after such a significant loss.

"Her Last August" is a deeply introspective poem that delves into the complexities of grief, self-awareness, and admiration for a friend facing terminal illness. Sharon Olds captures the raw, often conflicting emotions that arise in such circumstances, exploring the tension between self-absorption and the desire to understand and connect with others' experiences. Through vivid imagery and candid self-reflection, the poem honors Jane Kenyon's strength and poetic voice, offering a meditation on the enduring struggle to find meaning and grace in life's darkest moments.

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