Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Oh Absolam My Son, My Son" by Lucille Clifton is a poignant reflection on the Biblical story of Absalom, a tale of family conflict, rebellion, and tragic loss, resonating through the deeply personal lament of a parent torn between love and fear for a wayward child. Clifton's poem delves into the complex emotions surrounding parental love, the pain of estrangement, and the inexorable dread of a child's self-destruction. Through this work, Clifton explores themes of familial bonds, the consequences of choices, and the profound questions of faith and destiny that arise from such profound loss.

The poem immediately establishes a tone of regret and yearning, "even as i turned myself from you / i longed to hold you oh / my wild haired son." This opening captures the essence of parental ambivalence—a simultaneous need to distance oneself from a child whose actions threaten the familial fabric and an overwhelming desire to embrace and protect them from the consequences of their actions. The reference to the son's "wild hair" suggests a nature untamed and perhaps untamable, symbolizing the rebellious spirit that drives him "running in the wilderness away / from me from us."

Clifton's use of the wilderness as both a literal and metaphorical space is significant. It represents the son's journey away from the safety and constraints of family and society into a realm of danger and unpredictability, a "thicket you could not foresee." This imagery evokes the Biblical story of Absalom, whose hair was caught in the branches of a great oak, leading to his demise. The wilderness and thicket become symbols of the unforeseen consequences of rebellion and the traps that await those who venture too far from paths of reconciliation and understanding.

The poem articulates a fundamental parental dilemma: "if you had stayed / i feared you would kill me / if you left i feared you would die." This stark dichotomy reveals the depth of the parent's torment, caught between the fear of personal harm (whether physical, emotional, or spiritual) and the even greater fear of losing a child to the dangers of a path chosen in defiance. It speaks to the universal fear of parents for their children's safety, magnified here by the knowledge of the child's tumultuous and potentially destructive course.

The repeated cry, "oh my son / my son," is a direct echo of King David's lament for Absalom, imbuing the poem with a timeless quality that transcends its Biblical origins to touch on the universal pain of parental grief. This refrain underscores the depth of the parent's love and sorrow, a poignant acknowledgment of loss that cannot be tempered by understanding or reconciled with faith.

The closing line, "what does the Lord require," introduces a note of existential questioning, reflecting on the inscrutable nature of divine will and the human struggle to find meaning in suffering. This rhetorical question invites readers to contemplate the challenges of moral and spiritual understanding in the face of inexplicable loss. It suggests a search for guidance or justification in a situation where traditional notions of justice and divine intention are clouded by grief and confusion.

Clifton's "Oh Absolam My Son, My Son" is a masterful exploration of the depths of parental love, the pain of estrangement, and the quest for meaning in the face of tragedy. Through the lens of a well-known Biblical story, Clifton speaks to the heart of the human condition, addressing the timeless themes of love, loss, and the enduring quest for understanding in a world where the paths of loved ones may lead to unforeseen and often heartbreaking destinations.

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