Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Wet Thursday" by Weldon Kees captures the eerie and melancholic atmosphere of a stormy afternoon, blending elements of the natural world with the unsettling presence of an ancient, talking cat. The poem's imagery and tone evoke a sense of timelessness and foreboding, creating a vivid portrait of a moment caught between the mundane and the supernatural.

The poem opens with a description of a "stiff wind off the channel," which brings with it the sounds of a muttering chimney and the sight of rain and shaken trees. The repeated mention of the wind and rain establishes a mood of relentless weather and unease. The phrase "mile after mile, greening the sand" suggests the persistence of nature in reclaiming and revitalizing the landscape, even amidst the storm.

As the afternoon darkens, the speaker finds solace in turning to the fire, a symbol of warmth and comfort. However, this moment of tranquility is abruptly interrupted when "the locked door opens without sound," and a "monstrous cat" enters the scene. The cat is described in almost mythic terms, "Far older than the oldest carp / In the waters under the earth," emphasizing its ancient and mysterious nature.

The cat's actions and speech further heighten the poem's surreal quality. Moving "like a shadow over the floor," it warms its paws by the fire before addressing the speaker. The cat's declaration, "Felis libyca domestica / They call me, kept by man for catching / Rats and mice," grounds it in a familiar context, yet its origin from "Eastern or Egyptian" lands and its self-proclaimed role as a "spiteful and envenomed shadow" add layers of intrigue and menace.

The cat's promise to "live out my nine and evil lives / Before your very interesting fire" introduces a sense of inevitability and endurance. Its presence is both a curse and a companion, bound to the speaker through the endless passage of "days, months, years." The cat's ancient wisdom and malevolence contrast with the comforting fire, creating a tension that permeates the poem.

The final lines of the poem return to the stormy setting, with the "wind pounds along the coast" and "trees bend double to the sand." The cat, now asleep "like an old campaigner," represents a constant amidst the chaos of the long rains. This image of the cat, unbothered by the storm and resting as if accustomed to hardship, underscores the theme of enduring through adversity.

"Wet Thursday" by Weldon Kees is a masterful blend of natural imagery, mythic allusions, and atmospheric tension. The poem's exploration of timelessness, the supernatural, and the persistence of nature creates a haunting and memorable portrait of a stormy afternoon transformed by the arrival of an enigmatic creature. Kees's use of vivid descriptions and a compelling narrative voice invites readers into a world where the ordinary and the extraordinary coexist, leaving a lasting impression of mystery and introspection.

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