Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Childhood" by Lorna Dee Cervantes is a poignant exploration of the interplay between the spiritual and the physical realms in the shaping of self, set against a simple yet profound moment between a mother and her child. The poem juxtaposes the abstract, often verbose discourse on spirituality and enlightenment with the tangible, immediate experiences of a child, thereby offering a meditation on how identity and selfhood are forged through both spiritual forces and everyday experiences.

The poem opens with a man in a booth discussing the concept of the "plasticine of childhood" being molded into "Self," suggesting that the malleability of youth is shaped by spiritual forces manifested through the environment. This abstract discussion is immediately contrasted with the tactile, playful actions of the son, who is making balls from his tortilla and feeding them to his toy, engaging in his own form of creation and interaction with the world.

The repeated phrase "Boom, agua" serves as a refrain throughout the poem, echoing the child's fascination with water and its transformative properties. This phrase, simple in its construction, captures the essence of childhood wonder and the intuitive connection to elemental forces, which stands in stark contrast to the man's intellectualized discourse on spirituality.

The woman's interjections of "Experience" and her murmured agreement emphasize the importance of lived experiences in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves. Her voice, though hardly heard over the man's monologue, represents a grounding presence that values the concrete over the abstract, the real over the theoretical.

The mention of Yemáya, a deity from Yoruba religion often associated with motherhood, the ocean, and protector of children, deepens the poem's exploration of spirituality and its tangible manifestations. The memory of the child's encounter with the Pacific Ocean, and the deity's near reclamation of him, underscores the profound, often perilous connection between humans and the natural world, between the spiritual and the physical realms.

As the poem closes with the child watching the rain dissolve the day outside the window, the phrase "Boom, agua" resonates with a sense of renewal and continuity. This moment captures the cyclical nature of existence, the ebb and flow of life's experiences, and the enduring presence of elemental forces in the shaping of our identities.

"Childhood" by Lorna Dee Cervantes skillfully weaves together themes of spirituality, identity, and the sensorial experiences of childhood to offer a nuanced reflection on the formation of self. Through the lens of a simple familial scene, Cervantes invites readers to consider the myriad ways in which we come to understand ourselves and the world around us, balancing the abstract and the concrete, the spiritual and the physical.

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