Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Roadside Near Ithaca" by William Matthews is a nostalgic reflection on memory, nature, and the passage of time. The poem weaves together vivid descriptions of a roadside scene with introspective thoughts on the nature of memory and how it transforms and preserves experiences.

The poem begins with a recollection of picking wild strawberries, a seemingly simple and joyful activity. However, Matthews complicates this memory by stating that in his recollection, they are "neither here / nor missing." This suggests an ambiguity in memory, where past events are both present and absent, real and unreal. The speaker reflects on a time when he would "scuff out / by myself at dusk, proud / to be lonely," capturing a youthful sense of independence and the bittersweet nature of solitude.

As the poem transitions to the present, Matthews paints a lush picture of the roadside in bloom, listing various wild plants like "tansy mustard, sow thistle, / fescue, burdock, soapwort." The specificity of these names grounds the scene in a particular place and time, contrasting with the more abstract qualities of memory. The "mailbox-high day lilies" and "splurges of chicory with thin, / ragged, sky-blue flowers" evoke a vivid sensory experience, highlighting the natural beauty along the road.

The speaker then contemplates the color blue, noting that the chicory flowers are "one blue the sky / can be, and always." This blue is contrasted with "varium et mutabile semper," a Latin phrase meaning "ever-changing and mutable." Here, Matthews reflects on the constancy and changeability of nature, suggesting that while some things appear permanent, they are inherently subject to change.

The poem delves deeper into the concept of memory, likening it to a river that "eats its banks," continuously reshaping itself. This metaphor underscores the idea that memory is not static; it is fluid and constantly altered by the passage of time and personal perception. Despite this, memory allows one to "carry / by constant revision / some loved thing," preserving cherished moments even as they evolve.

Matthews uses the image of a stalk of mullein, described as a "tower of terraced bells," to evoke a sense of timelessness and continuity. The comparison to a "carillon" ringing "its mute changes of pollen" suggests the subtle, almost imperceptible shifts in memory and experience. The mullein flowers, with their small, yellow blooms, become a symbol of the quiet, persistent presence of the past in the present.

The poem concludes with a meditation on the shared experiences of the past, marked by "the yellow / light (same yellow as the tiny / mullein flowers)" that the speaker and others experienced when they were "imminent." This choice of word, "imminent," implies a sense of something about to happen, an anticipation that characterizes moments of significance in our lives. The "road's so stained by the yellow / light" suggests that these moments leave lasting impressions, coloring the landscape of memory.

"A Roadside Near Ithaca" is a contemplative exploration of how we perceive and remember the past. Matthews captures the fleeting beauty of nature and the mutable nature of memory, reflecting on how we hold onto moments even as they change over time. The poem's rich imagery and reflective tone invite readers to consider their own experiences and the ways in which they remember and reinterpret them. Through its exploration of memory and nature, the poem evokes a sense of nostalgia and the enduring impact of the past on our present selves.

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