Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Justice’s poem “Lethargy” captures the overpowering nature of inertia and the soothing yet insidious grip of inactivity. Through simple, intimate imagery and a tone that wavers between comfort and resignation, Justice explores the theme of lethargy as both a physical and psychological state that ensnares the speaker.

The poem begins with a personification of lethargy, "It smiles to see me / Still in my bathrobe." This opening line sets a scene of inactivity, with the bathrobe symbolizing the prolonged state of rest and idleness. Lethargy is depicted as a companion, almost affectionate in its demeanor, as it "smiles" at the speaker's immobility.

In the subsequent lines, lethargy becomes more physically present and dominating: "It sits in my lap / And will not let me rise." Here, lethargy is not just an abstract feeling but something tangible and weighty, preventing the speaker from moving or breaking free from its grip. This imagery conveys a sense of being trapped or restrained by one's own lack of motivation.

The personification intensifies as lethargy "is kissing my eyes," a tender yet stifling gesture that implies a desire to lull the speaker into further inactivity. The arms of lethargy, "Pale with a thick down," evoke an image of softness and warmth, yet they are also binding and restrictive, enveloping the speaker in a way that is both comforting and confining.

The next lines, "It seems I am falling asleep / To the sound of a story / Being read me," introduce a sense of surrender. The speaker is being lulled into sleep, with the lethargy telling a story—a metaphor for the ongoing narrative of inactivity that the speaker is living. The act of falling asleep signifies a deeper submission to this state, where the boundary between rest and lethargy blurs.

The poem's narrative reveals a prolonged engagement with lethargy: "Weeks have passed / Since first I lifted my hand / To set it down." This admission underscores the enduring nature of the speaker's inertia. The initial attempt to overcome lethargy has long been abandoned, and now the speaker is caught in a cycle of inactivity that spans weeks.

"Lethargy" by Donald Justice is a succinct yet powerful depiction of the overwhelming and pervasive nature of inertia. Through personification and intimate imagery, Justice conveys the dual aspects of lethargy as both a source of comfort and a barrier to action. The poem reflects the struggle between the desire to break free from inactivity and the seductive ease of remaining in its grasp.

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