Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker’s poem "I Come the Way That" is a meditation on the deep, almost mystical connection between a mother and her child, capturing the irresistible pull she feels towards her child’s developing mind. The poem presents this connection as something as natural and inevitable as the movements of the moon, stars, and tides—forces governed by invisible laws, driven by a cosmic and divine order.

The speaker begins by likening her approach to her child to the "way that / moon comes, stars, the tides," suggesting that her attraction is as natural and unstoppable as these celestial phenomena. The use of the word "involuntary" emphasizes that this connection is beyond her control, a fundamental part of the natural world. It is a force that operates according to "laws" only "God knows," indicating that this bond is something both sacred and mysterious.

The speaker’s gaze is drawn to the "pink / forehead" of the child, which she describes as if it were "transparent." This transparency suggests a profound insight or intuition into the inner workings of the child’s mind, as if the mother can almost see the thoughts and processes forming within. The imagery shifts to a metaphorical landscape within the child’s head, where "everything is getting attached, getting / hooked up there." This language evokes the intricate and delicate connections being forged in the child’s brain, as if the neurons themselves are linking up to create consciousness and understanding.

The poem then introduces the idea of a settlement being "thrown together" in the child’s mind, complete with "real streets" and a "marketplace." This metaphor suggests the rapid development and organization of thoughts, knowledge, and experiences, as if the child’s mind is a burgeoning community, coming to life with activity and purpose. The mention of "buying and selling" in the marketplace further implies the exchange of ideas, the negotiation of understanding, and the growth of cognitive abilities.

Outside the town, the "ground to break" and the "people sowing and harvesting" symbolize the potential for future growth and learning. The child’s mind is depicted as fertile soil, ready to be cultivated, where the seeds of knowledge can be planted and nurtured. The "planning a city" indicates the future potential of the child’s mind, suggesting that what is being built now is just the beginning of a much larger, more complex structure that will continue to develop and evolve.

The poem concludes with the speaker’s expression of a strong desire: "I / want to see it, I want to." This repetition underscores the intensity of the mother’s yearning to witness the unfolding of her child’s mind, to be a part of this miraculous process of growth and development. The longing expressed here is both tender and powerful, encapsulating the deep emotional connection and the awe that the speaker feels as she watches her child grow.

"I Come the Way That" beautifully captures the essence of a mother’s love and her profound connection to her child’s developing mind. Ostriker uses rich, evocative imagery to explore the natural, almost divine forces that bind mother and child, while also highlighting the wonder and anticipation that comes with witnessing the formation of a new consciousness. The poem is a celebration of the mysterious, powerful, and involuntary nature of maternal love, as well as the incredible journey of growth and discovery that both mother and child embark upon together.

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