Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Grape Sherbert" by Rita Dove is a reflective and deeply moving poem that delves into the complexity of memory and the poignant interplay between joy and mourning. Set on Memorial Day, a day dedicated to remembering and honoring those who have passed, the poem captures a family gathering that is both celebratory and shadowed by the weight of unspoken loss.

The poem opens with a vivid and cheerful scene: the father presents his homemade grape sherbert, described as "swirled snow, gelled light." This delightful image of the sherbert as a frozen light captures the essence of something crafted with care and pride, bringing joy to the family gathering. The father's secret recipe and his playful appearance, with a cap resembling a duck, inject a sense of whimsy and personal touch to the occasion, making the moment special and unique.

However, the tone shifts as the poem casts back to earlier in the day, when the family "galloped through the grassed-over mounds" of a cemetery, playfully naming each gravestone after a lost milk tooth. This juxtaposition of the lighthearted play among gravestones with the somber reality of what these stones signify introduces a layer of irony and innocence. The children are unaware of the true significance of the place, treating it as a playground rather than a site of remembrance.

The description of the sherbert serving later as "a miracle" like "salt on a melon that makes it sweeter" further explores the theme of how ordinary moments or elements can transform perceptions and experiences. This comparison subtly echoes the overarching theme of the poem—how ordinary and joyful moments can be tinged with the sadness of remembrance, yet also how sweetness can be found in the act of remembering itself.

The poem then shifts perspective to the diabetic grandmother who watches from the porch, described as "a torch of pure refusal." Her inability to partake in the sweet treat, due to her health condition, metaphorically parallels her refusal or inability to engage fully with the day's mixed emotions of celebration and remembrance. Her separation from the group underscores themes of isolation and the barriers that personal circumstances can place between individuals and their experiences of collective joy.

Towards the conclusion, the speaker reflects on the innocence of their earlier understanding, realizing the gravity of what lay beneath them in the cemetery. This realization brings a shift in perception, highlighting a loss of innocence and a deeper understanding of the significance of Memorial Day. The speaker's struggle to recall the taste of the sherbert, which "doesn't exist" anymore, symbolizes the fleeting nature of memory and the challenge of capturing the essence of past experiences.

The closing lines, "Now I see why / you bothered, father," reveal a newfound appreciation for the father's efforts to create joy and preserve family traditions amid the undercurrents of memory and loss. It suggests a recognition of the father's role in mitigating the bitterness of remembrance with the sweetness of life, much like the sherbert itself.

Overall, "Grape Sherbert" by Rita Dove is a nuanced poem that beautifully captures the interplay of memory, loss, and the sweetness of familial love. It explores how family rituals can serve as a means of connecting with the past, confronting it, and finding joy in the moment despite the underlying sadness.

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