Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson’s poem "Out of Season" is a reflective narrative that captures the melancholy and fragmented nature of memory, particularly those memories associated with places visited in times of transition or displacement. The poem weaves together images of various locations, people, and moments, creating a tapestry of experiences that resonate with a sense of nostalgia, disconnection, and the elusive search for meaning in the mundane.

The poem opens with a description of the Grand Hotel in Beaulieu, on the Mediterranean, during a time when the season has not yet fully begun, marked by the wind that "blew steadily from sea to land, banging the shutters." This setting introduces a feeling of unease and isolation, as if the hotel and its surroundings are caught in a liminal space—between the bustling tourist season and the quiet of an off-season lull. The details of the hotel experience—eating fish soup with "big, heavy spoons" and observing the other guests—set the stage for a meditation on the people who inhabit these transient spaces.

Simpson introduces a cast of characters, each with their own subtle peculiarities. There is the old woman and her companion, Miss O’Shaughnessy, who is perpetually writing letters; the Swedish businessman and his stunning secretary, Helga; and an Englishman who "looked ill" and prefers solitary walks. These characters, though seemingly unremarkable, are etched into the narrator’s memory, their small actions and presence contributing to the overall atmosphere of the place.

The poem then shifts to a childhood memory of a hotel in Kingston, where the narrator’s mother would stay during visits from America. This memory is filled with idyllic details—playing badminton and golf, reading American newspapers, and enjoying cartoons like "The Katzenjammer Kids" and "Bringing Up Father." These details evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia, contrasting with the more detached and lonely atmosphere of Beaulieu.

As the poem returns to Beaulieu, Simpson draws a parallel between the present setting and the glamorous past associated with the Fitzgeralds, evoking the image of grand hotels and the hedonistic lifestyle of the 1920s. The mention of "Avalon" and the sound of an orchestra, followed by the surreal image of an arm emerging from the wall holding a tennis racket, blurs the line between reality and fantasy. This moment captures the strangeness of memory—how certain details stand out vividly while others blend into the surreal, leaving the narrator questioning their own perceptions.

The poem’s closing section delves into the narrator’s sense of being "away from home or removed in some other way," a feeling that brings forth "another self" waiting to emerge in moments of solitude. This introspective self is attuned to the sounds and images around him—the chirping of birds, the whispering of leaves, and the memories of the people he encountered. The recurring images of Miss O’Shaughnessy shouting "Fish soup!" and the businessman’s girl lying on her side highlight the way certain moments become etched in the mind, taking on an almost symbolic significance.

The Englishman, who avoids interaction with the narrator, becomes a figure of isolation, his actions—slashing at reeds with a stick—symbolizing a futile attempt to exert control or express frustration in a world that feels increasingly alien. The poem ends on a contemplative note, acknowledging that these seemingly trivial moments and encounters leave an "unforgettable impression," suggesting that there is a deeper, perhaps unknowable reason for why we find ourselves in certain places at certain times.

"Out of Season" is a meditation on memory, displacement, and the search for meaning in the transient and often lonely experiences of life. Simpson’s use of vivid, fragmented imagery and his blending of past and present create a dreamlike narrative that captures the essence of being out of place and time. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories of places and people, and the way these memories shape their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

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