Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"35/10," by Sharon Olds, is a contemplative and poignant exploration of the inevitable cycle of aging and generational transition. The poem captures a tender moment between a mother and her daughter, as the speaker reflects on the physical and symbolic aspects of aging while brushing her daughter's hair.

The poem opens with a vivid, intimate image: "Brushing out my daughter’s dark / silken hair before the mirror." This act of grooming serves as a metaphor for nurturing and care, highlighting the maternal bond. The contrast between the daughter's "dark silken hair" and the speaker's own "gray gleaming" hair immediately sets up the theme of aging. The "silver-haired servant behind her" suggests the speaker sees herself as both an attendant and a figure of the past, serving the future represented by her daughter.

The poet explores the irony of life’s timing, where "just as we begin to go / they begin to arrive." This line emphasizes the bittersweet nature of life, where one's vitality wanes as another's begins to bloom. The speaker notes the "fold in my neck / clarifying" and the "fine bones of her / hips sharpen," juxtaposing the physical signs of aging with the burgeoning beauty and potential of youth. The imagery of the speaker's skin showing "dry pitting" while the daughter "opens like a small / pale flower on the tip of a cactus" further emphasizes this contrast between decay and growth.

The mention of "my last chances to bear a child / are falling through my body" contrasts with the daughter’s fertility, described as "her full purse of eggs, gold and / firm as hard-boiled yolks." This imagery not only highlights the biological aspects of aging but also the emotional reality of passing time and the shifting roles from being a life-giver to a nurturer. The metaphor of the "purse of eggs" about "to snap its clasp" captures the idea of youth and potential, ready to unfold and replace the older generation.

The poem ends on a reflective note, with the speaker continuing the intimate act of brushing her daughter's "tangled / fragrant hair at bedtime." This ritual underscores the ongoing care and love that transcends the generational shift. The final lines, "It’s an old / story—the oldest we have on our planet— / the story of replacement," encapsulate the universal truth of life's cyclical nature. The use of the word "replacement" acknowledges the natural progression of life, where the younger generation inevitably takes the place of the older.

"35/10" poignantly captures the essence of change and continuity, reflecting on the personal and universal aspects of aging, the passage of time, and the enduring connection between generations. Through rich imagery and tender reflection, Sharon Olds explores the complexities of life’s transitions and the acceptance of one's own mortality within the broader narrative of human existence.

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