Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Prayer During a Time My Son Is Having Seizures" by Sharon Olds is a deeply moving and raw portrayal of a mother's fear and helplessness as she watches her son endure seizures. The poem is a heartfelt prayer, despite the speaker's self-identified lack of religious belief, and it explores the desperate hope for her son's well-being alongside an acceptance of any outcome, as long as he remains with her. Through vivid imagery and a powerful emotional narrative, Olds captures the anguish, love, and unconditional commitment of a parent facing an uncertain and frightening situation.

The poem begins with the speaker leaning on a door-frame, admitting to being "a woman without belief," yet resorting to prayer out of sheer desperation: "Please don't let anything happen to him." This opening line sets the tone of vulnerability and pleading, emphasizing the mother's helplessness in the face of her son's medical crisis. The act of praying, even without faith, highlights the universal human impulse to seek solace and intervention from a higher power in times of crisis.

Olds uses vivid and poignant imagery to describe the seizures. The image of the son's "gold jaw lock[ing]" while he watches a "burning mountain falling slowly through his mind" conveys the internal chaos and paralysis he experiences. The comparison to a tree losing a green branch, with "tiny amber cones already darkening," evokes a sense of natural vitality being abruptly severed, suggesting both the physical and mental toll of the seizures. The metaphor of the "lip of a cliff coming off" further emphasizes the sudden and irreversible nature of these episodes, portraying the son's experiences as uncontrollable and dangerous.

The plea for protection continues with the line "don't let him stand on the curb watching his mind get hit by a blue car / over and over," which powerfully depicts the repetitive and inescapable nature of the seizures. This metaphor conveys a sense of violent intrusion, as if the son's thoughts are being repeatedly attacked. The mother's cry, "Don't hurt him," is a direct and anguished appeal, expressing her desire to shield her son from harm.

The poem shifts to a more introspective reflection on the potential outcomes of the seizures. The speaker fears the possibility of her son being left in a "wheelchair drooling into cereal," unaware of his surroundings, yet she expresses a profound willingness to accept even this outcome: "if that's the only way I can have him, I want to have him." This declaration of unconditional love highlights the depth of her maternal devotion. The mother's willingness to care for her son "on any terms" underscores the powerful bond between parent and child, as she imagines herself tending to his every need, even in the most challenging circumstances.

The closing lines of the poem are particularly tender and poignant. The speaker imagines caring for her son in various ways: looking into his face, spooning "brown sugar into the river of his life," changing his diapers, and sitting with him in his room. The imagery of "empty and spacious" avenues of light in his face suggests a resignation to the possibility of a diminished mental state, yet also a deep, abiding love that transcends any limitations. The phrase "dark radiant diapers" encapsulates the paradox of caring for a loved one in a state of vulnerability—finding beauty and purpose even in the most mundane and difficult tasks.

"Prayer During a Time My Son Is Having Seizures" is a powerful expression of a mother's unconditional love and the profound fear of losing a child to illness. Sharon Olds masterfully captures the intense emotions of a parent facing an uncontrollable situation, blending vivid imagery with heartfelt pleas and reflections. The poem speaks to the universal experience of parental love, resilience, and the willingness to endure any hardship for the sake of a child's presence. Through her evocative and honest portrayal, Olds invites readers to empathize with the speaker's plight and to reflect on the depths of love and devotion that define the human experience.

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