Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Harvest" by William Matthews juxtaposes the mundane realities of agriculture with moments of ethereal and surreal imagery, creating a layered reflection on abundance, labor, and the ephemeral nature of life.

The poem begins with an image of "a few rats are gnawing / along the floor of the silo," immediately presenting a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of a successful harvest. The casual dismissal—"but what are a few rats / against this tower of food?"—suggests a pragmatic acceptance of imperfections. The "tower of food" symbolizes abundance and the fruits of labor, implying that small losses or flaws are insignificant compared to the overall bounty. This line speaks to the resilience and practical mindset often required in agricultural life, where the focus remains on the broader outcome rather than minor setbacks.

The mention of saffron production—"It takes 75,000 crocus blossoms / to make a pound of saffron"—introduces a theme of value and effort. Saffron, known for being one of the most expensive spices, requires a vast number of flowers to produce even a small quantity. This detail underscores the notion of rarity and the intensive labor involved in creating something precious. It serves as a metaphor for the painstaking effort required in any harvest, where significant work results in something small but valuable.

The poem then shifts from the material to the intangible: "And after today out there / in the heat, nobody dreams of food." This line suggests a fatigue or saturation from the day's hard work, where the immediate physical needs or desires are set aside. Instead, the mind drifts to a dream, shifting the focus from the physical harvest to a more personal, introspective realm.

In the dream, "Mary Slater / swings higher and higher / on the vine over the Haskins' / creek, and disappears." This vivid and mysterious image contrasts sharply with the earlier, more concrete descriptions of the silo and saffron. Mary Slater's ascent and eventual disappearance evoke a sense of transcendence or escape, moving beyond the mundane concerns of food and work. The use of "vine" and "creek" places the scene in a natural, pastoral setting, adding to the dreamlike quality. The disappearance suggests an ethereal, almost mystical departure from the physical world, perhaps symbolizing a longing for freedom or an escape from the hardships of life.

The juxtaposition of the rats and the tower of food with the delicate image of Mary swinging into oblivion captures a tension between the practical and the poetic, the mundane and the sublime. The poem explores the contrast between the hard, often gritty realities of life and the moments of beauty and mystery that offer brief respite or deeper meaning.

"Harvest" thus reflects on the balance between toil and transcendence, grounding its narrative in the concrete realities of agriculture while allowing space for the imagination to wander. Matthews uses simple yet evocative imagery to suggest that even amidst the routine and labor-intensive aspects of life, there exists a potential for moments of unexpected beauty and reflection. The poem leaves readers with a contemplative sense of wonder, highlighting the duality of human experience and the fleeting nature of both labor and life.

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