Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Susie, Kiki, Annie: 2" by Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge delves deeper into themes of perception, communication, and the nuanced dynamics of relationships, continuing the exploration from the first section of the poem. This segment focuses on a specific interaction involving the sharing of an experience related to toy horses, juxtaposing the narrator's lack of interest in horses with the sister's enthusiasm. Through this interaction, Berssenbrugge examines the complexities of empathy, familial bonds, and the individual experiences of joy and guilt.

The opening imagery of the sister gathering a toy horse from beside each candle, and the depiction of a horse stepping backwards in water, evokes a sense of ritual and reflection. This setting serves as a backdrop for the exploration of how shared experiences and interests—or the lack thereof—shape our connections with others.

The narrator's admission of not sharing the sister's love for horses, despite the sister's assumption to the contrary, introduces a tension between personal truth and familial expectation. The sister's sharing of her happiness, taken for granted, prompts the narrator to feel guilt for not experiencing the same joy. This moment captures the complex interplay of emotions that can arise in close relationships, where the desire to connect and understand each other is sometimes marred by our intrinsic differences.

The description of the animals in the story, "scratched into reddish dark ground" with sleepy appearances, adds a layer of melancholy to the narrative. This artistic detail suggests that the sister's world, populated by these toy animals, is one marked by fragility and transience, mirroring the themes of defeat, disappointment, and the inevitable decline present in the woods around her.

Despite these somber undertones, there's a resilience in the sister's character, highlighted by her laughter at losing track of her thought and the imagery of the horse taking a small jump in the air. This resilience could symbolize the ability to find moments of lightness and joy, even in the face of uncertainty and the mundane challenges of life.

Berssenbrugge uses the sister's "awkwardness that's both conspicuous and nonchalant" to underscore the complexity of human emotions and interactions. The sister's awareness of her own presence in the woods, described as "a priori mottled light subject to decline," suggests a deep, intuitive connection to her surroundings and an acceptance of the natural cycle of growth and decay.

In "Susie, Kiki, Annie: 2," Berssenbrugge crafts a reflective and layered narrative that invites readers to consider the ways in which we share our inner worlds with those closest to us. The poem speaks to the challenges of communication and connection, the beauty found in the simple act of sharing, and the nuanced dance of closeness and distance that defines human relationships. Through evocative imagery and thoughtful introspection, Berssenbrugge captures the delicate balance between individuality and togetherness, and the silent understandings that bind us.

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