Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Gregg's poem "The Presence in Absence" delves into the ethereal nature of poetry and memory, emphasizing the paradoxical coexistence of presence and absence. Gregg opens with a striking assertion that "Poetry is not made of words." This line immediately challenges the reader to rethink the essence of poetry, suggesting it transcends its linguistic components to capture deeper truths and emotions.

The following lines, "I can say it's January when / it's August," further illustrate this idea. Here, Gregg highlights the fluidity of time within poetry, where the poet's imagination can manipulate seasons and temporal realities. This ability to transcend literal truth is mirrored in the vivid recollection of her grandmother's house:

"The scent / of wisteria on the second floor / of my grandmother's house / with the door open onto the porch / in Petaluma,"

Gregg evokes a specific sensory memory, transporting the reader to a past moment rich with detail. Yet, this memory is contrasted with her present reality:"while I'm living / an hour's drive from the Mexican / border town of Ojinaga." This juxtaposition underscores the theme of presence within absence; the grandmother's house is no longer physically present, but it exists vividly in the poet's mind, accessible through the act of recollection.

Gregg then explores the idea of being with someone who is gone, drawing a poignant parallel with the enduring silence of the desert: "Like the silence which / continues here in the desert while / the night train passes through Marfa / louder and louder, like the dogs whining / and barking after the train is gone."

The imagery of the night train passing through Marfa serves as a powerful metaphor for the fleeting presence of loved ones and moments. The train's loud passage echoes the intensity of remembered experiences, while the subsequent silence represents the enduring presence of absence. The dogs' whining and barking after the train has passed encapsulate the lingering impact of loss and memory.

In "The Presence in Absence," Gregg masterfully weaves together themes of memory, loss, and the transcendent nature of poetry. Through vivid imagery and evocative contrasts, she captures the profound way in which absence can be imbued with presence, illustrating how memories and emotions linger, shaping our inner landscapes long after the physical realities have changed. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of loss and memory, and to recognize the enduring presence within the absence of loved ones and cherished moments.

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