Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "Wrinkly Lady Dancer" is a poignant reflection on aging and memory, juxtaposing the physical frailty that accompanies old age with the vibrant, enduring power of past experiences, particularly those of love and intimacy. The poem beautifully captures the tension between the inevitable decline of the body and the undiminished vitality of the inner life.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging her future as an "old wrinkly lady," accepting the physical changes that will come with aging. The imagery of becoming "one of those frail rag people" and having "withered hands" evokes the fragility and vulnerability that often accompany old age. The speaker anticipates the challenges she will face, such as being "Puzzled to tears crossing the street" and cautiously boarding buses, likening herself to a "withery fruit." This image of a shriveled, dried-up fruit emphasizes the contrast between the vitality of youth and the decay of old age.

However, despite this outward frailty, the speaker's inner life remains rich and vibrant. As she sits "silently" on the "lurching bus," seemingly clutching her cane and newspaper for protection, her thoughts are far from her current reality. Instead, she is transported back to a powerful memory: "The afternoon I danced naked with you." The repetition of this line, with increasing emphasis, underscores the intensity and significance of the memory. It is as if the speaker is reliving the moment, savoring the joy, freedom, and intimacy it represented.

The contrast between the external appearance of the speaker as an old, frail woman and her internal world, filled with the memory of a passionate and carefree moment, highlights the theme of the enduring nature of the human spirit. Even as the body ages and becomes "wrinkly" and "withery," the mind and heart retain the capacity to hold on to life's most precious and exhilarating experiences. The memory of dancing naked with her lover becomes a source of strength and joy, a reminder of the speaker's past vitality and the deep connections that have shaped her life.

The poem also touches on the theme of how others perceive the elderly. The speaker notes that "Some other passengers gaze at me / Clutching my cane and my newspaper / Seemingly protectively." This observation suggests that others may see her as vulnerable and in need of protection, yet they are unaware of the vibrant inner life she still possesses. The speaker's repeated declaration of her memory serves as a quiet defiance of the stereotypes and assumptions often associated with old age.

In "Wrinkly Lady Dancer," Ostriker masterfully captures the complexity of aging, where the physical decline of the body contrasts with the enduring strength of memory and the inner life. The poem celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us that our most cherished experiences remain with us, providing comfort and joy even in the face of life's inevitable changes. The repeated refrain of dancing naked reflects a triumphant embrace of life and love, a memory that defies the limitations of time and age.

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