Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Mark Jarman's poem "Skin Cancer" intricately weaves the natural environment with human experiences, exploring themes of memory, mortality, and the pervasive influence of the weather. Through rich, sensory imagery and a reflective tone, Jarman delves into the complexities of life and the inevitable passage of time, drawing a poignant parallel between the gradual effects of skin cancer and the subtle, yet profound, impact of the environment on our lives.

The poem opens with a vivid depiction of a September night: "Balmy overcast nights of late September; / Palms standing out in street light, house light; / Full moon penetrating the cloud-film / With an explosive halo, a ring almost half the sky." This setting establishes a mood of calmness and reflection, with the full moon's halo symbolizing both beauty and impending change. The air, described as "like a towel draped over shoulders," evokes a sense of comfort mixed with the weight of reality deferred, likened to "a moral question."

Jarman introduces a domestic scene filled with young people and the familiarity of beer: "The young people / Moving from the front door into the half-dark / And back, or up the stairs to glimpse the lovers’ shoes / Outside the master bedroom; the youngest speculating." This imagery captures the essence of youth and curiosity, set against the backdrop of an oceanic landscape, where "Each window holding a sea view, charcoal / With shifting bars of white." The fog, described as "the haze of distance itself," blurs the lines between reality and memory, emphasizing the theme of impermanence.

The poem transitions to reflections on life and mortality: "As if the passage into life were through such houses, / Surrounded by some version of ocean weather." The description of "beach sun / Making each grain of stucco cast a shadow" underscores the stark reality of aging and the passage of time, while also hinting at the physical impact of sun exposure. The mention of characters like S., F., and C. adds a personal dimension, illustrating how people come and go, affected by life's circumstances and their environments.

The central theme of skin cancer is subtly introduced through the imagery of weather and its effects: "Swains. and nymphs. And news that came with the sea damp, / Of steady pipe-corrosions, black corners, / Moisture working through sand lots, through slab floors." The slow, insidious nature of these processes mirrors the gradual development of skin cancer, with its "chemical, with molecular intricacy" eventually bursting into the forefront of consciousness. The "shrieked confessions / Of the wild parents; the cliff collapse; the kidnap; / The cache of photos; the letter; the weapon; the haunted dream" convey a sense of inevitable revelation and the uncovering of hidden truths.

Jarman continues to explore the pervasive influence of the weather: "Weather a part of it all, permeating and sanctifying, / Infiltrating and destroying." This duality reflects the complex relationship between the natural world and human life, where the sun, "Cool behind the veil of afternoon cloud, / With sun spots like flies crawling across it," serves as both a life-giving force and a harbinger of damage. The "slow empurpling of skin all summer" alludes to the long-term effects of sun exposure, culminating in the development of skin cancer.

The poem closes with a reflection on the physical and emotional toll of this condition: "The working of the lesion now in late life, / Soon to be known by the body, even the one / Enduring the bareness of the inland plains." This imagery captures the inevitability of the disease's progression and the universal vulnerability of the human body. The final lines, "a sickness / For home that feels no different from health," poignantly express the intertwined nature of longing and acceptance, as well as the thin line between illness and normalcy.

In "Skin Cancer," Mark Jarman masterfully blends natural and personal imagery to explore the profound effects of time and environment on human life. Through detailed, evocative language and introspective reflections, he invites readers to contemplate the complexities of existence and the subtle, often unnoticed forces that shape our lives and our bodies. The poem serves as a meditation on mortality, memory, and the enduring impact of the natural world.

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