Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon’s poem “The Way Things Are in Franklin” paints a somber portrait of a small town in decline, capturing the closing of businesses and the accompanying sense of loss and nostalgia. Through vivid, detailed imagery and a reflective tone, Kenyon explores themes of change, community, and the bittersweet nature of witnessing familiar places disappear.

The poem opens with a stark statement: “Even the undertaker is going out / of business.” This line immediately sets a tone of finality and decline, suggesting that even the most essential services are no longer sustainable in the town. The mention of the undertaker underscores the depth of the economic and social downturn.

Kenyon continues to catalog the closures, highlighting their impact on daily life: “And since the dime store closed, / we can’t get parakeets on Main Street / anymore, or sleeveless gingham smocks / for keeping Church Fair pie off the ample / fronts of the strong, garrulous wives / of pipefitters and road agents.” This list of lost items and experiences evokes a sense of nostalgia for the community's past vibrancy. The detailed description of the “strong, garrulous wives” and their practical gingham smocks adds a touch of warmth and character, making the losses feel personal and tangible.

The poem then shifts to the closure of the hardware store: “The hardware’s done for too. / Yesterday, / a Sunday, I saw the proprietors breaking / up shop.” The specific timing—on a Sunday—adds a layer of melancholy, as Sundays are traditionally days of rest and community gatherings. The image of the proprietors “breaking / up shop” is poignant, capturing the physical and emotional labor involved in dismantling a long-standing business.

Kenyon vividly describes the proprietors’ efforts: “the woman struggling with half / a dozen bicycle tires on each arm, / like bangle bracelets, the man balancing / boxes filled with Teflon pans.” These images convey the couple’s determination and the burdens they carry, both literal and metaphorical. The comparison of bicycle tires to bangle bracelets adds a touch of irony, contrasting the utilitarian nature of the tires with the ornamental purpose of bracelets.

The poem concludes with a reflection on human nature: “The windows / had been soaped to frustrate curiosity, / or pity, or that cheerless satisfaction / we sometimes feel when others fail.” This observation reveals a mix of emotions within the community—curiosity, pity, and a darker satisfaction at witnessing failure. The soaped windows symbolize a barrier, preventing the outside world from fully seeing or understanding the personal and collective struggles of the town’s residents.

In “The Way Things Are in Franklin,” Jane Kenyon masterfully captures the nuanced emotions of a community facing decline. Through her precise and evocative language, she brings to life the intimate details of small-town existence and the sense of loss that accompanies change. The poem serves as a poignant meditation on the resilience of individuals and the complex mix of feelings that arise when familiar places and routines disappear. Kenyon’s ability to evoke deep empathy and reflection makes “The Way Things Are in Franklin” a powerful commentary on the passage of time and the impermanence of human endeavors.

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