Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Strange Knees," William Matthews explores the physical realities of aging and the way these experiences become part of familial storytelling and identity. The poem begins with a reflection on self-awareness, particularly through the body: "It's one of the ways you see / yourself." The "snow's blue skin" sets a cold, reflective backdrop, symbolizing perhaps the purity and starkness of truth. The speaker moves over this landscape "strictly," a word that suggests carefulness and discipline, possibly due to the fragile condition of their knees, described as "slag of calcium."

The speaker's bad knees become a recurring motif, signifying both physical pain and a metaphor for life's burdens. The repetition of "Bad Knees, Bad Dog, Bad Luck" encapsulates a sense of resigned acceptance and the casual way in which people discuss their ailments, as if lumping together the inconveniences of life. This phrase also highlights a sense of inevitability and the randomness of misfortune.

The poem delves into the relationship between the speaker and their sons, who are fascinated by stories of their parent's physical struggles. The anecdote of collapsing "in the lobby / of Cinema II," where a "latch in your knee / not catching," becomes a narrative the sons enjoy. The use of the word "latch" suggests a mechanical failure, perhaps mirroring the body's decline with age. The speaker acknowledges the reality of their constant knee pain, yet notices that the sons are "dote / wrongly on that fact." This suggests a misunderstanding or a different focus from the speaker's perspective; while the pain is a constant, for the sons, it becomes a defining, almost mythic aspect of their parent's character.

The sons are described as making the speaker "Pain's / Firework," a metaphor that suggests a spectacle made out of suffering, something that flares brightly and captures attention. The speaker reflects on their sons' desire to understand "why / they love you," indicating that the stories of struggle and resilience are a way for the sons to connect with and comprehend their parent's life. These narratives are consumed eagerly, as the sons "eat your stories / up," showing how these tales of pain and perseverance are both fascinating and a source of familial bonding.

The poem shifts to recount a specific story: "You saved the cat. You're squeaking / home two miles over the moonwashed / snow because your car broke down." This vignette further illustrates the speaker's resilience and resourcefulness, making it another story that likely becomes part of the family's lore. The image of "moonwashed snow" adds a serene, almost ethereal quality to the scene, contrasting with the discomfort implied by the "squeaking" knees.

The concluding lines of the poem reflect on the nature of these stories and their impact: "The stories grow crooked inside / you and your knees grow bad." This metaphor suggests that as the body deteriorates, the narratives surrounding these experiences also become twisted and altered over time. The stories, much like the knees, are affected by the passage of time, possibly distorting the truth or becoming embellished in the retelling.

"Strange Knees" poignantly captures the intersection of physical decline and familial storytelling. Matthews explores how the physical realities of aging, particularly chronic pain, are woven into the fabric of family history and identity. The poem reflects on how these stories, while rooted in discomfort, become a way for family members to understand and connect with one another. The narrative acknowledges both the humor and the pathos in these shared experiences, suggesting a complex interplay between suffering and the affectionate, albeit sometimes misguided, ways in which loved ones relate to it. Through its exploration of physical pain and the stories it generates, the poem offers a nuanced meditation on the nature of memory, identity, and familial love.

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