Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "They Hoist It, Shining, They Support It, Under Artificial Lights" presents a raw and vivid portrayal of the moments following childbirth, juxtaposing the miracle of new life with the unsettling realities of a world that often turns innocence into violence. The poem captures the physical and emotional immediacy of birth while exploring the deeper anxieties and desires that accompany the arrival of a child, particularly in a society where the future often seems to be shadowed by conflict.

The poem begins with the newborn being "hoist[ed], shining," under the sterile glow of "artificial lights." This image conveys both the fragility and the wonder of the new life, as the baby is lifted and supported by medical professionals. The description of the baby as "limp as a glove, a handful of tendrils" emphasizes its vulnerability and delicacy, evoking the sense that this new life is both precious and precarious.

The poem then shifts focus to the mother and father, capturing their immediate reactions to their newborn. The mother "watches it inhale and flex," her attention drawn to the small, instinctual movements of the baby. The detail of "the bloodclot over the navel / already brown" suggests the remnants of the birth process, the physical evidence of the baby's recent transition from womb to world.

The father's reaction is described with a mix of tenderness and embarrassment: "the father is blushing, he notices how the genitals / nod and bob, ornamental and puffy, mushrooms and ladyslipper." This description highlights the father's awkward yet affectionate observation of his child's body, with the "mushrooms and ladyslipper" metaphorically emphasizing the natural, almost delicate, qualities of the newborn's form.

The doctor, embodying the voice of societal expectations, casually remarks, "he’ll be a soldier," as the baby lets out its first cries. This comment introduces a chilling undertone to the poem, suggesting that even in this pure and innocent state, the child is already being marked for a future shaped by violence and conflict. The doctor's statement reflects the societal conditioning that anticipates and even normalizes the idea of children, especially boys, growing up to become soldiers—a role that requires them to suppress the very tenderness and vulnerability they embody at birth.

As the poem continues, the newborn is "wheeled away, clean and alone," further emphasizing its separation from the mother and the onset of its individual journey in the world. The mother, left to "rest[] on a plump pillow," is overcome with emotion, "weeping / in the pretty room" as she contemplates the overwhelming desire to protect and possess her child. Her physical state, with "breasts...engorged," reflects the powerful, primal connection she feels to her newborn, as her body prepares to nourish and sustain the life she has brought into the world.

The poem also captures the mother's internal struggle as she considers the future: "her / intention is to possess this baby, this piece of earth, not to surrender / a boy to the ring of killers." These lines reveal the mother's fierce protective instinct, her determination to shield her child from the harsh realities of a world that too often demands the sacrifice of innocence. The "ring of killers" symbolizes the societal forces—war, violence, and the expectation of conforming to destructive roles—that threaten to claim her child.

The poem concludes with the return of the baby, now "crying," to the mother. As she takes him in her arms, "her throat leaps," a physical manifestation of the intense emotions she feels—love, fear, and the deep, instinctual drive to protect her child. This final image captures the profound and complex bond between mother and child, a connection that is both a source of immense joy and deep anxiety.

"They Hoist It, Shining, They Support It, Under Artificial Lights" is a powerful exploration of the immediate aftermath of birth, blending the beauty and innocence of new life with the darker implications of what lies ahead. Ostriker's poem speaks to the universal fears and desires of parents, particularly mothers, who must navigate the tension between nurturing their children and the painful knowledge that the world into which they are born is fraught with dangers and expectations that may ultimately lead them away from the safety of the familial embrace. The poem resonates with the deep, almost primal, need to protect and preserve the purity of new life in the face of a world that seems determined to corrupt and consume it.

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