Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Galvin's "The Measure of the Year" reflects on memory, loss, and the interplay between human life and the natural world. The poem weaves together personal anecdotes and observations, creating a tapestry of moments that highlight the passage of time and the persistence of nature.

The opening image, "A canoe made of horse ribs tipped over in the pasture," is striking and surreal, blending elements of death and utility. This canoe, repurposed and reclaimed by prairie flowers, becomes a "meetinghouse," symbolizing how nature finds new purposes and meanings in human artifacts. The flowers growing "with a vengeance" suggest a resilient, almost defiant life force.

The narrative shifts to a memory of the speaker's father: "Buck posts float across the flooded swamp / Where my father rode in and under. / Different horse." This scene of flooding and the father struggling to keep his horse's head above the mud while apologizing captures a moment of desperation and care. It speaks to the bond between human and animal, highlighting themes of responsibility and regret.

The discovery of the "white filly / On the only hard ground by the south gate" adds a layer of mystery and inevitability. The father's comment that "she'd been a ghost from the start" conveys a sense of foreboding and acceptance of her fate. Covering her with branches becomes an act of respect and mourning, a way to honor her existence.

The poem touches on the father's idiosyncrasies and his relationship with the natural world: "There were things he had the wrong names for / Like rose crystals. Though / They were about what you'd think from a name like that." This detail highlights the father’s human imperfections and his unique way of interacting with the world around him.

The father’s instruction to find a crystal on Sand Creek Pass that spells their initials adds a sense of adventure and personal mythology. It reflects the idea that there are hidden, personal treasures in the world waiting to be discovered, and that these treasures connect us to our identities and family histories.

The mention of pasqueflowers and paintbrush waiting until Easter to grow, even amidst snow, encapsulates the theme of resilience and the cyclical nature of life. These flowers, defying the harsh conditions to bloom, mirror the persistence of memory and the enduring impact of the past.

In the final lines, "I thought I'd seen that happen," the speaker reflects on the reliability of these natural signs and the lessons imparted by the father. This line suggests a personal witnessing and validation of the father’s wisdom, grounding the poem in a sense of continuity and legacy.

In summary, "The Measure of the Year" by James Galvin is a reflective poem that intertwines personal memories with observations of nature. Through vivid imagery and poignant anecdotes, Galvin explores themes of loss, resilience, and the passage of time. The poem invites readers to consider the ways in which human life and nature are interconnected, and how memories and natural cycles shape our understanding of the world.

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