Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton’s "Days Through Starch and Bluing" is a poignant tribute to the poet’s grandmother, Catherine Callahan, affectionately referred to as "Katey." The poem immerses the reader in the labor-intensive, yet rhythmic, routines of washday, bringing to life the arduous yet dignified work of domestic chores. Through vivid imagery and a deep sense of place, Fulton captures the essence of her grandmother’s life, reflecting both the physicality and the quiet perseverance embedded in her daily tasks.

The poem begins by situating the reader in the midst of a typical Monday, marked by the "flat smell of boiled cloth" and the use of Octagon soap. This olfactory detail immediately evokes the atmosphere of a washroom, setting the stage for the methodical process that follows. The act of "Stirring work-clothes with a stick, / chafing grime against the washboard's crimp" highlights the manual labor involved, emphasizing the tactile and strenuous nature of washing clothes by hand.

Fulton introduces the specific demands of Mrs. Westover, who prefers "blue and white paper-ruled pinafores done just so." This detail underscores the meticulous care and attention to detail required in her grandmother’s work. The use of Rickett's bluing, tied in small knapsacks and swirled through rinse water, transforms the dingy whites to a periwinkle blue, an image that evokes both the beauty and the precision of the task. The blue-tinted water mirroring a "periwinkle sky" juxtaposes the drudgery of laundry with a moment of visual poetry.

The subsequent lines, "Steam and lye. / The wringer chews things dry," evoke the harshness and the efficiency of the tools used in laundry. The imagery of collars and cuffs being "dipped in the hot icing of starch" and becoming "crisp wings, crackable as willowware" conveys both the transformation and the brittleness imparted by the process. These starched garments, "livelier than when worn," hung on lines to dry, seem almost to defy the wind, embodying a transient vitality.

Fulton captures the relentlessness of the chore with the anticipation of freezing weather, which stiffens both the garments and her grandmother’s fingers, "stiff as clothespins." Despite the physical toll, there is a moment of solace in song: "She sings. The sound forms quick clouds that mark the time." This act of singing, despite the laborious context, signifies resilience and the presence of joy amidst routine.

The poem transitions to Tuesday, where the task shifts from washing to ironing. The linens, towel-rolled and water-sprinkled, are prepared for the "slick ironing," emphasizing the continuation of the labor-intensive cycle. Here, the domestic scene broadens to include her children, who come home from school, spilling tea on their dresses, thus perpetuating the cycle of washing and cleaning.

Fulton poignantly reflects on her grandmother’s constancy and dedication, capturing a life structured around the rhythmic yet repetitive tasks of maintaining a household. The grandmother’s contemplation of "tonight's dinner" and "tomorrow's pressing" signifies the perpetual nature of her duties, with little reprieve.

In "Days Through Starch and Bluing," Alice Fulton eloquently conveys the nuances of her grandmother’s life, celebrating the endurance and grace with which she performed her daily chores. The poem is not only a tribute to Catherine Callahan but also a meditation on the unrecognized labor and the quiet heroism of domestic life. Through her detailed and evocative imagery, Fulton invites the reader to appreciate the depth and dignity of everyday tasks, honoring the legacy of those who have shaped their families and communities through their steadfast work.

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