Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"First Thanksgiving" by Sharon Olds is a tender and reflective poem that captures the emotions surrounding the return of a daughter from college. Through evocative imagery and a deeply personal voice, Olds explores themes of parental love, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of watching a child grow and become independent. The poem navigates the space between the past and the present, expressing both joy and nostalgia as the speaker anticipates her daughter's arrival.

The poem begins with a vivid anticipation of the daughter's return, focusing on the physical details of her presence. The speaker imagines the "skin of her upper arms, cool, matte, glossy," conveying a palpable sense of the daughter's physicality and the intimacy of their relationship. The description of the daughter hugging her mother, "my old soupy chest against her breasts," combines a sense of vulnerability with a deep emotional connection. The speaker's delight in the sensory experience of smelling her daughter's hair underscores the profound bond between them, rooted in the familiar and comforting aspects of physical closeness.

The daughter's sleep is likened to "an untamed, good object, like a soul in a body," suggesting a sense of innocence and purity. This image captures the wonder and awe the speaker feels in the presence of her child's life force, a life that once grew within her and has now returned home. The reference to the daughter as the "second great arrival, after him" alludes to the profound impact of her birth, likened to a miraculous event that reshaped the speaker's world. The poem briefly touches on the shared history of mother and daughter, recalling the early days of motherhood when the speaker fed her child to sleep under the moon's changing phases. This imagery evokes a sense of cyclical time and the constancy of maternal care amidst the ever-turning world.

As the poem transitions to the present, the speaker acknowledges that her daughter no longer needs the same kind of love and care she once did. The daughter's independence is recognized and celebrated, as she "walk[s] in glowing," a testament to her growth and the fulfillment of the love she has received. The speaker's joy is palpable as she anticipates their conversations and the simple pleasure of having her daughter sleeping in the apartment once more.

The poem concludes with a poignant metaphor, comparing the daughter's return and subsequent departure to the speaker's childhood experience of catching and releasing bees. The image of holding bees by the wings, observing their "wild faces," and listening to their song captures the tension between holding on and letting go. The moment of release, when the bees "entered the corrected curve of their departure," symbolizes the natural and inevitable progression of a child's life, moving away from the parent's protective grasp towards their own path. This metaphor encapsulates the bittersweet reality of parenthood—relishing the moments of closeness while understanding the necessity of allowing a child to find their own way.

"First Thanksgiving" beautifully conveys the complex emotions of a parent welcoming a child back home. Sharon Olds masterfully blends sensory detail with reflective introspection, creating a rich tapestry of love, nostalgia, and acceptance. The poem is a celebration of the enduring bond between parent and child, acknowledging both the joy of reunion and the grace of letting go. Through her nuanced portrayal, Olds captures the universal experience of watching a child grow up and the deep, abiding love that remains constant, even as the nature of the relationship evolves.

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