Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon's poem “Staying at Grandma's” captures the nuanced and often complex relationship between a child and her grandmother, juxtaposing the simplicity of domestic life with the profound, and sometimes unsettling, teachings of faith. Through detailed observations and a reflective tone, Kenyon explores themes of innocence, love, and the anxieties provoked by religious instruction.

The poem opens with a scene of the speaker being left at her grandmother’s house: “Sometimes they left me for the day / while they went — what does it matter / where — away.” This introduction sets a tone of abandonment and the isolation of the child, who finds solace in observing her grandmother’s daily routines. The imagery of “watching her work / the dough, then turn the white shape / yellow in a buttered bowl” evokes a sense of comfort and familiarity, grounding the speaker in the tangible and rhythmic activities of the kitchen.

Kenyon then introduces a specific and vivid detail: “A coleus, wrong to my eye because its leaves / were red, was rooting on the sill / in a glass filled with water and azure / marbles.” The child’s perception of the coleus as “wrong” highlights the innocence and literal-mindedness of childhood. The fascination with the azure marbles and the way sunlight passes through them adds a layer of visual delight and wonder, contrasting with the more troubling aspects of the grandmother’s teachings.

The grandmother’s instruction is introduced in a matter-of-fact manner: “'You know,' she'd say, turning / her straight and handsome back to me, / 'that the body is the temple / of the Holy Ghost.'” This statement, meant to impart a moral lesson, instead evokes confusion and unease in the child: “The Holy Ghost, the oh, oh ... the uh / oh, I thought, studying the toe of my new shoe, / and glad she wasn't looking at me.” The child’s reaction to the concept of the Holy Ghost—an abstract and somewhat frightening idea—illustrates the gap between adult intentions and a child’s understanding.

The poem shifts to a reflection on the impending return to school: “Soon I'd be back in school. No more mornings / at Grandma's side while she swept the walk / or shook the dust mop by the neck.” This transition marks the end of the child’s immersion in the grandmother’s world and the routines that provided a sense of stability and belonging.

The poem culminates with a troubling recollection of a specific teaching: “If she loved me why did she say that / two women would be grinding at the mill, / that God would come out of the clouds / when they were least expecting him, / choose one to be with him in heaven / and leave the other there alone?” This biblical reference to the end times, where one person is taken and another left behind, introduces a deep existential anxiety. The child’s questioning of her grandmother’s love—“If she loved me why did she say that”—reveals the emotional impact of these teachings and the fear of abandonment they provoke.

In “Staying at Grandma's,” Jane Kenyon masterfully captures the interplay between the ordinary and the profound, the comforting and the unsettling. Through her vivid imagery and keen emotional insight, Kenyon explores the complexities of religious instruction and the ways in which it can shape a child’s perception of love and security. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of childhood, faith, and the often-conflicting messages conveyed by those we trust and love. Kenyon’s ability to evoke deep emotional responses through simple, yet powerful, scenes makes “Staying at Grandma's” a poignant meditation on the innocence of childhood and the profound impact of familial relationships.

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