Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "The Retirement", Irving Feldman explores the internal monologue of a retiree grappling with the complexities of aging, consumerism, and the desire for relevance and value in a changing world. The poem offers a glimpse into the psyche of someone for whom everyday bargains and small victories have become significant in their attempt to find meaning and satisfaction.

The poem opens with a striking observation: “Everyone talks here, nobody listens.” This sets the tone of isolation and introspection, suggesting a place where people speak to each other but are not truly heard. The speaker then admits, “If you didn’t talk to yourself, you’d forget how to listen.” Here, self-conversation becomes a coping mechanism, a way to reaffirm one’s own value amidst the noise of others. The retiree murmurs about past bargains and tells stories to oneself, continually “going over in your mind a week ago’s bargain you got.”

The poem delves into the psychology behind these bargains: “Luck. Sharpness. Enterprise. The spice of life!” For the retiree, finding a good deal represents proof of savvy and skill, qualities that reaffirm their competence and identity. The joy of being “two sweet bucks ahead of the game” is profound, offering the sense of having outsmarted fate: “two bucks, count ’em, that fate forked over.”

However, beneath this triumph lies a certain melancholy. The retiree talks to the two dollars as if they are companions, saying, “See, you’d have been spent, lost in god knows whose pocket—if not for me.” The money responds, “I’m deeply grateful.” This imaginary conversation reflects the loneliness and isolation of the retiree, who finds solace in talking to something that cannot respond.

Feldman expands this exploration to the retiree’s daily purchases, such as “three pairs socks, say, and Epsom salts,” which become “something extra, something you needed, sure, and yet a treat (no less!).” These small indulgences provide joy and meaning, even if fleeting, to someone whose life may otherwise feel unremarkable. The poem hints at the retiree’s sense of gratitude for reaching this stage of life: “You feel blest you’ve lived long enough to see this.”

However, this gratitude is tinged with insecurity. Feldman writes, “Some people thought it wasn’t worth two cents. / Now you wouldn’t sell for a million whatevers.” Despite finding purpose in these small bargains, the retiree is still haunted by the opinions of others, needing to prove that their life holds value.

The poem shifts to explore the retiree’s relationship with consumerism and the pressures it creates. While “every hour everywhere more prices are coming down,” the retiree remains uncertain about their decisions: “Of course, you bought the giant size. You had to. / It’s nagging on you. Suppose some’s left over. / Maybe it wasn’t such a bargain after all.” The act of buying in bulk, ostensibly a smart financial move, becomes a source of anxiety.

The poem captures the internal conflict of trying to rationalize these purchases: “Then you calm down, you think, ‘They’ll find it here. / Someone will take it, it won’t be thrown away.’” The retiree reassures themselves that they haven’t wasted money, but there is a lingering doubt.

Feldman’s use of dialogue adds a conversational tone, blurring the lines between internal monologue and external conversation. The retiree’s inner voice becomes desperate at times: “Oh, what the heck!” and “barking like that, desperate, like someone who knows they’re in over their head—for good.” These expressions reveal a fear of losing control and relevance.

The poem concludes with a metaphorical reflection on the retiree’s relationship with Epsom salts, which have come to symbolize their sense of balance and control: “You pour out exactly the right amount into the bath, then give an extra shake or two, and sometimes you put in a little bit less.” The retiree’s careful measuring reflects their attempt to maintain control over their life, but the act of sometimes adding “a little bit less” or “an extra shake” suggests uncertainty and debt.

The final lines capture the retiree’s struggle to find balance: “as if, in heaven’s name, you’ve gotten into debt / with these Epsom salts, and somehow it’s up to you / to make things come out even, and end when you do.” Here, the Epsom salts represent not just financial transactions but a deeper existential debt that the retiree feels obligated to resolve before their life ends.

Overall, "The Retirement" is a nuanced exploration of aging, isolation, and the search for value in small victories. Feldman’s use of colloquial language, dialogue, and metaphor provides an intimate portrait of a retiree striving to find meaning and satisfaction in a world that often overlooks them. The poem captures the bittersweet reality of retirement, where every small bargain is both a triumph and a reminder of life’s impermanence.

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