Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Old Dominion" by Robert Hass captures the melancholy and reflective mood of a late afternoon through a contemplative walk across a landscape imbued with personal and historical significance. The poem interweaves images of tranquility and tension, evoking both the beauty of the present moment and the undercurrents of discontent and unrealized potential.

The poem opens with the "shadows of late afternoon" and the "odors of honeysuckle," which set a scene of serene sadness. This congruence between the physical environment and the speaker's emotional state establishes a tone of introspective melancholy. The simplicity of "Everything is easy but wrong" suggests a disconnect between the surface ease of life and a deeper, unspoken dissatisfaction.

As the speaker walks "across thick lawns under maples in borrowed tennis whites," he conjures the image of Randall Jarrell, a poet known for his introspective and often somber work. Jarrell, who is depicted as "sad and relaxed," serves as a symbol of artistic melancholy and unfulfilled dreams. The mention of Jarrell translating Chekhov, an author whose works frequently explore themes of loss and missed opportunities, reinforces this connection. The speaker is puzzled by how "in his art, like Chekhov's, / everyone was lost," suggesting a recognition of a universal human condition where "the main chance was never seized."

The sound of tennis balls, described as "thwack... thwack," initially appears as a benign, even pleasant backdrop. However, it quickly transforms into a more ominous auditory image, reminiscent of "the first sound of an ax / in the cherry orchard or the sound of machine guns." This shift in perception reflects the speaker's awareness of underlying violence and disruption, whether in personal lives or broader societal contexts. The reference to "young terrorists... exploding / among poor people on the streets of Los Angeles" juxtaposes the peaceful suburban scene with the harsh realities of urban strife, highlighting the contrast between appearances and underlying truths.

In response to these reflections, the speaker begins making resolutions: "to take risks, not to stay / in the south, to somehow do honor to Randall Jarrell, / never to kill myself." These resolutions are both personal and existential, indicating a desire to break free from the constraints of habit and to engage more fully with life. The commitment "never to kill myself" is particularly poignant, suggesting a resolve to resist the despair that characterized Jarrell's later years.

The poem concludes with a vision of the tennis courts, "the nets, the painted boundaries, and the people in tennis / whites who look so graceful from this distance." This final image underscores the theme of distance and perception. From afar, the scene is one of grace and beauty, yet the speaker's earlier reflections reveal the complexities and hidden struggles that lie beneath the surface.

"Old Dominion" effectively captures a moment of deep introspection, where the natural beauty of the surroundings contrasts with the speaker's awareness of loss, missed opportunities, and the need for personal renewal. Through rich imagery and poignant reflections, Hass explores the tension between external tranquility and internal disquiet, ultimately suggesting a path forward through conscious engagement with life's challenges.

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