Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon’s poem “Pharaoh” poignantly explores the emotional and physical toll of illness, using vivid imagery and personal reflection to convey themes of vulnerability, disruption, and the stark realities of confronting mortality. Through her careful juxtaposition of everyday experiences with profound existential insights, Kenyon captures the unsettling atmosphere of living with a serious illness.

The poem begins with a quote that sets a reflective tone: “‘The future ain't what it used to be,’ said the sage of the New York Yankees.” This line, attributed to a figure in baseball, immediately situates the reader in a realm where wisdom and casual observation intersect. The image of the sage “pounding his mitt, releasing the red dust of the infield into the harshly illuminated evening air” evokes a sense of effort and the inevitability of time passing, framed within the familiar context of a baseball game.

Kenyon then transitions to a more personal and somber subject: “Big hands. Men with big hands make things happen.” The shift from the baseball player to the surgeon underscores the theme of power and control. The surgeon’s demonstration of the tumor’s size using “his substantial fist with its globed class ring” is a stark and unsettling image, juxtaposing the human body’s fragility with the surgeon’s authority and capability.

Returning home, the speaker describes the altered dynamics of their life: “we live as charily as strangers. / Things are off: touch rankles, food is not good.” This line highlights the disconnection and discomfort that pervade their existence, emphasizing how illness has disrupted even the most fundamental aspects of their relationship. The phrase “live as charily as strangers” suggests a cautious distance, a protective measure against the pain and uncertainty they face.

The poem continues to depict the burden of sympathy and care: “Even the kindness of friends turns burdensome; their flowers sadden us, so many and so fair.” This sentiment reflects the paradox of well-meaning gestures becoming reminders of their current suffering and loss. The abundance of flowers, typically symbols of beauty and hope, instead becomes overwhelming and a source of sorrow.

In a moment of intimate observation, the speaker recounts waking in the night: “I woke in the night to see your diminished bulk lying beside me.” The description of the ill person as “diminished” conveys the physical changes and the reduction of vitality. The comparison to a sarcophagus, with “your feet held up the covers,” evokes a powerful and haunting image of mortality, suggesting a preparation for the next life.

The poem concludes with a poignant inventory of items surrounding the ill person: “The things you might need in the next life surrounded you—your comb and glasses, water, a book, and a pen.” This list of mundane, personal items takes on a symbolic weight, representing both the continuity of daily life and the preparation for departure. The inclusion of objects that denote normalcy and routine underscores the attempt to maintain a semblance of order and dignity amidst the chaos of illness.

In “Pharaoh,” Jane Kenyon masterfully captures the profound disruption and emotional strain of living with serious illness. Through vivid imagery and introspective narrative, she explores the themes of vulnerability, disruption, and the intimate confrontations with mortality. Kenyon’s ability to weave together the ordinary and the extraordinary, the personal and the universal, creates a deeply moving and resonant portrayal of the human condition in the face of life’s most challenging moments.

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