Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "The Apple Shrine" is a profound reflection on the intersection of nature, faith, and the fragile nature of life. Through the imagery of an apple tree, blossoms, and a sudden health scare, Pastan explores themes of gratitude, the mystery of healing, and the tendency of humans to take the everyday for granted. The poem invites readers to consider how moments of crisis can lead to a deeper appreciation for the world around us, even as we are inevitably drawn back into the routine of daily life.

The poem begins with a simple, almost pastoral image: "Last week you gathered armfuls of apple blossoms / from trees along the roadway, and a few / from the bent Cortland down the street." The act of gathering blossoms is rooted in a practical purpose—pollination, so that "we'd have fruit / next winter." This activity is tied to the natural cycle of growth and harvest, reflecting a sense of stewardship and care for the future. The speaker's partner's effort to ensure that the apple tree will bear fruit is both a literal act of nurturing and a metaphor for the hope and preparation involved in life.

The speaker then shifts to a more reflective and symbolic interpretation of the scene: "Looking out the window at those rags / and shreds of blossoms beneath the tree, / it could have been a makeshift shrine I saw." The scattered blossoms, initially placed for a practical purpose, take on a sacred quality, reminiscent of the makeshift shrines that appear in places where miracles or divine sightings are reported. This comparison imbues the scene with a sense of reverence and wonder, as if the act of tending to the tree has become a form of worship. The speaker muses on the idea of worshipping "the garden itself, or spring," recognizing the deep connection between nature and the divine, and the human impulse to find meaning and significance in the natural world.

The poem then takes a sudden and unsettling turn: "Just one day later / and equally strange, but fearful / you seemed to lose your vision, went half blind / after work in the garden." The shift from the serene, almost sacred imagery of the apple shrine to the fear of sudden blindness introduces a sense of vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of life. The speaker describes the blindness as a "transgression / not even you with your Science understand," suggesting that despite the partner's knowledge and rationality, some things remain beyond human comprehension. This moment underscores the mystery of the human condition, where health and well-being can be abruptly disrupted without explanation.

Pastan then reflects on the process of healing, comparing it to the way "the seasons / heal each other, one month at a time." This analogy suggests that healing, like the changing seasons, is a gradual and often inscrutable process. The speaker and her partner sit together in a "darkened room," contemplating "how quickly / everything can change, how thin the crust / of ice we walk on." This image of walking on thin ice emphasizes the fragility of life and the constant presence of potential disaster. The thoughts they share during this time are described as "perhaps / a kind of prayer," indicating that their reflections are an expression of hope, fear, and the need for reassurance in the face of uncertainty.

As the poem concludes, the partner's vision begins to return: "Today you start to see again, / and I wonder how long we'll remember to be grateful." This line captures the human tendency to quickly forget the profound lessons learned during times of crisis, as the routine of everyday life reasserts itself. The speaker anticipates that they will eventually "lose ourselves complicitously / in the everyday," a recognition that gratitude, while powerful in moments of recovery, often fades as normalcy is restored.

The final image of the poem is both hopeful and reflective: "waking up surprised one morning / next autumn when for the first time / our tree will be strung with a rosary of apples." The "rosary of apples" is a beautiful and fitting metaphor, linking the fruit of the tree to a symbol of prayer and devotion. The image suggests that the apples, which come as a result of the care and attention given to the tree, are also a reminder of the sacredness of life and the importance of maintaining a sense of gratitude and wonder.

"The Apple Shrine" is a deeply thoughtful poem that explores the connections between nature, faith, and the fragility of human existence. Through its vivid imagery and careful attention to the emotional and spiritual dimensions of life, Pastan invites readers to consider the ways in which moments of crisis and recovery can lead to a deeper appreciation for the world around us. The poem serves as a reminder of the need to remain mindful and grateful, even as we navigate the inevitable return to the routines of daily life.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...