Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Ted Kooser’s poem "The Very Old" paints a poignant and empathetic portrait of elderly individuals navigating the inevitable physical declines that come with aging. Through vivid and precise imagery, Kooser captures both the fragility and resilience of the elderly, illustrating their quiet perseverance despite the many challenges they face.

The poem opens with a stark observation: "The very old are forever / hurting themselves." This line immediately sets the tone, highlighting the continuous struggle and vulnerability that accompanies old age. The use of "forever" suggests an ongoing, relentless battle against the frailties of the body.

Kooser continues by describing common accidents: "burning their fingers / on skillets, falling / loosely as trees / and breaking their hips / with muffled explosions of bone." These lines convey the sudden and often violent nature of these incidents. Comparing the elderly to trees falling "loosely" evokes an image of inevitability and helplessness, while the "muffled explosions of bone" capture the internal, often unseen damage that these falls cause.

The next stanza shifts focus to societal attitudes towards the elderly: "Down the block / they are wheeled in / out of our sight / for years at a time." This suggests a form of isolation, as the elderly are often removed from the public eye, perhaps to nursing homes or hospitals. The physical separation underscores a societal tendency to marginalize the elderly, making them almost invisible to the younger, more active population.

Kooser highlights this disconnection further: "To make conversation, / the neighbors ask / if they are still alive." This casual, almost indifferent query underscores the discomfort and detachment people often feel towards the elderly. It suggests that the lives of the very old are only acknowledged in passing, their existence reduced to small talk.

However, the poem takes a hopeful turn with the line: "Then, early one morning, / through our kitchen windows / we see them again, / first one and then another." This reappearance is almost miraculous, a re-emergence from their hidden lives into the visibility of the community. The kitchen window symbolizes a domestic, intimate space, contrasting with the earlier image of isolation.

The final lines depict the elderly in their gardens: "out in their gardens / on crutches and canes, / perennial, / checking their gauges for rain." The use of "perennial" is particularly powerful, likening the elderly to plants that return year after year despite hardships. This metaphor suggests a quiet resilience and an enduring presence. The act of "checking their gauges for rain" symbolizes a connection to life and nature, a small but significant way in which they remain engaged with the world around them.

In "The Very Old," Ted Kooser masterfully balances the depiction of the elderly's fragility with their tenacity. The poem’s imagery is both stark and tender, capturing the painful realities of aging while also celebrating the persistent spirit of the elderly. By juxtaposing moments of invisibility with scenes of re-emergence and engagement, Kooser invites readers to reflect on the ways society views and treats its older members, urging a more compassionate and attentive approach. The poem ultimately honors the resilience of the very old, recognizing their ongoing contributions and presence, however quiet or overlooked they might be.

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