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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

LAST HOUR, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

In "Last Hour," Sharon Olds presents a deeply intimate and poignant portrayal of her mother's final moments. The poem captures the raw, visceral experience of witnessing a loved one's death, reflecting on the physical and emotional transformations that occur in this profound transition from life to death.

The poem opens with the speaker preparing to spend the night near her mother, making a bed on the floor "true to my mother," aligning herself physically and spiritually with her. The description of the setting, with "head to the hills, foot to the Bay where the / wading birds forage for mollusks," situates the scene in a natural, serene environment, evoking a sense of peace amidst the approaching loss.

As her mother begins to experience the "death-rattle," the speaker describes the sound with a striking metaphor: "desert authority." This phrase conveys a harsh, commanding presence, signaling the inevitability and finality of death. The mother's face, once expressive and alive, has now become "matteryer," suggesting a transition from the living essence to mere physical matter. The imagery of her "tissues, stored with her life, / were being replaced from some general supply / of gels and rosins" illustrates the stark physical changes occurring, as if her biological components are being replaced with inert substances, emphasizing the detachment of the soul from the body.

Olds captures the complexity of emotions in this moment. The mother, at times, seems unrecognizable, as if she has been "changelinged / with a being more suited to the labor than she." This suggests a transformation into a state more fitting for death's laborious process, yet still imbued with her mother's "yearning." The speaker's palm resting on her mother's head and shoulder symbolizes a final act of comfort and connection, holding on to the last remnants of their shared life.

As the mother moves through the final stages of dying, the poem describes a sequence of breaths, each one potentially the last. The mother's tongue, with "manna spots," a reference to the biblical food of angels, subtly suggests a transition toward the divine or spiritual realm. The final gasps are described as "forced in," followed by "quiet" and a "sigh, as if of relief," which conveys a release from suffering and the acceptance of peace.

In the moments following her death, the speaker observes a "tender sorrowing completion," suggesting a deep emotional resolution. The transformation of her mother's body into "a thing of bone" marks the final physical change, with the body now merely an artifact marking where life once was. The speaker notes a subtle upward curve of her mother's lips, hinting at a final moment of peace or acceptance.

The closing lines of the poem convey a powerful sense of release and escape. The speaker feels that her mother, who had perhaps always felt trapped or confined, has finally "escaped." This metaphor of escape suggests a liberation from the suffering and constraints of mortal existence, achieving a state of peace.

"Last Hour" is a deeply moving exploration of the physical and emotional realities of death. Sharon Olds masterfully conveys the complex mix of grief, tenderness, and acceptance that accompanies the loss of a loved one. Through vivid and intimate imagery, the poem captures the profound experience of being present at the moment of death, reflecting on the transformation from life to death and the sense of peace that can accompany it.


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