Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Galway Kinnell's poem "The Scattering of Evan Jones's Ashes" is a poignant tribute that captures the ritual of saying goodbye to a beloved figure, blending the physical act of scattering ashes with profound emotional resonance. Through vivid imagery and delicate narrative, Kinnell explores themes of memory, legacy, and the natural cycle of life and death.

The poem begins with Judith, who moves "like a dancer on sea-swells," gracefully navigating the moment of releasing Evan's ashes. This simile not only captures her elegance but also the fluidity and inevitability of the process. Judith's movements are enveloped in a "cloud of the dust and ashes," symbolizing the mingling of Evan's remains with the elements. This imagery evokes a sense of both dispersion and unity, as the ashes become part of the natural world.

Evan is described as an "ardent man" whose love for poetry intensified with age. This detail underscores the significance of his legacy, hinting at a life deeply engaged with the artistic and ephemeral. The ashes, described as the "airiest of his relics," take to the breeze, while the heavier particles "fall of their own loyalty to earth." This duality reflects the balance between Evan's ethereal influence and his grounding presence in the lives of those who knew him.

As the mourners participate in the scattering, each one interacts with the ashes in a personal way. Some "fling the ashes," symbolizing a cathartic release, while others "sift them slowly through their fingers," as if searching for a tangible connection to something lost. This act of sifting conveys a sense of intimacy and lingering attachment, highlighting the varied responses to grief.

The poem then introduces a striking visual metaphor: the empty bowl, "as wide and shallow as a primitive grail." This image invokes the idea of a sacred vessel, suggesting that the act of scattering ashes is both a ritual and a moment of profound significance. The comparison to the Darwin Lime Enterprise lime truck dusting the green slopes white further emphasizes the transformative power of this act, leaving a visible mark on the landscape.

A moment of musical homage follows, as a "tall red-haired boy" with a trumpet runs across the scene. His fiery hair, "aflame in a ray of sunset," and his position on the hilltop create a vivid, almost mythical image. The boy plays a "slow solo," which resonates deeply with each mourner, symbolizing a collective mourning and remembrance. The music acts as a conduit for shared grief and celebration of Evan's life.

The poem concludes with a poignant and somewhat whimsical image of Evan's Welsh warrior corgi, Maduc. The dog, "with a high-pitched howl," flops on his back and sleds down to the edge of the pond, the grass "quickened by Evan's ashes." This final scene merges joy and sorrow, capturing the essence of life's continuity and the enduring presence of those we have lost. The dog's playful descent, infused with the vitality of Evan's remains, suggests a cyclical renewal and a return to nature.

"The Scattering of Evan Jones's Ashes" by Galway Kinnell is a deeply moving reflection on the process of mourning and the ways in which we honor and remember the departed. Through its rich imagery and heartfelt narrative, the poem encapsulates the blending of grief and celebration, the personal and the communal, and the ephemeral and the eternal. Kinnell's elegy serves as a testament to the enduring impact of a life well-lived and the ways in which we find solace and meaning in the rituals of farewell.

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