Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Susan Wood’s "Diary" is a profound exploration of memory, identity, and the intricate, often fraught relationships between parents and children. Drawing from Oscar Wilde’s epigraph—“Memory is the diary that chronicles what never happened and couldn't have happened”—the poem navigates the fluid and sometimes unreliable nature of memory, juxtaposing vivid recollections with the haunting absence of certainty. Through its evocative imagery and layered narrative, the poem examines themes of desire, loss, and the enduring impact of familial bonds.

The opening lines anchor the poem in a spring of vivid contrasts: azaleas “spilling / over the lawns” in colors of “blood, / of hearts, of fire,” alongside white blossoms, “the color / of snow, of eggs.” This imagery sets the tone for the poem, blending beauty with fragility, life with the potential for loss. The azaleas, both vibrant and delicate, serve as a metaphor for the speaker’s daughter, described as a “tiny bud” poised to blossom. The juxtaposition of the natural world with human growth and relationships highlights the transient and tender nature of both.

The speaker’s recollection of her daughter’s innocent yet startling revelation about reproduction underscores the complexity of parental roles. The daughter’s explanation—framed in childlike terms, as though she were presenting “a gift”—reveals a budding awareness of adult realities. Her understanding, however, is incomplete, as she imagines the woman passive, “as though she were merely a receptacle.” The speaker’s attempt to correct this notion reflects both a desire to protect her daughter’s innocence and the challenge of navigating such conversations. This moment encapsulates the tension between what parents wish to convey and what children can comprehend, emphasizing the layered dynamics of knowledge, power, and vulnerability.

The poem transitions into a dreamlike sequence where the speaker reflects on her desires and the intimacy that led to her daughter’s creation. The imagery of “flying” and the fear of crashing contrasts with the trust and exhilaration of that shared moment. The speaker’s assertion—“every time I believe I’m caught / like a bee in a flower / that closes around it”—blurs the boundaries between entrapment and fulfillment, mirroring the complexities of love and memory. This duality resonates throughout the poem, as the speaker grapples with the tension between past joys and present regrets.

The narrative takes a darker turn as the speaker recalls a moment of abandonment, when her daughter discovered an empty closet, “only the ghosts / of my dresses.” This poignant image of absence—the shadows of shoes, the footprints in moist earth—underscores the emotional weight of the speaker’s departure. The winter setting, “gray and cold,” mirrors the desolation felt by both mother and daughter, while the speaker’s speculation about her daughter’s thoughts—whether she perceives her mother as someone “who never could have lived”—highlights the alienation and longing that pervade their relationship.

The poem’s exploration of memory as a “diary” is central to its structure and themes. The speaker acknowledges the unreliability of memory, describing it as “blurred and fading images,” “the echo of someone’s footfall,” and “a cold pocket of air.” These metaphors convey the ephemeral and subjective nature of recollection, suggesting that the act of remembering is both a creative and destructive process. The diary, with its “ink-stained pages, ruined, indecipherable,” becomes a symbol of the fragmented and imperfect nature of memory and identity.

As the daughter attempts to “write the story over, in her own hand,” the poem shifts focus to the cyclical nature of familial relationships. The speaker observes her daughter’s independence with both admiration and envy, describing the “red flower / of envy” blooming in her chest. This envy reflects the universal tension between mothers and daughters, rooted in the desire for autonomy and the lingering echoes of shared experiences. The speaker’s recognition that her own mother may have envied her adds another layer of complexity, emphasizing the intergenerational nature of these emotions.

The poem concludes with a poignant reflection on the act of creation and the bond between the speaker and her partner. The memory of their shared desire to “make this child / together, this blossom, this flower” contrasts with the present reality of distance and regret. This final image ties the themes of the poem together, celebrating the beauty of creation while acknowledging the pain and complexity of relationships.

"Diary" is a masterful meditation on memory, love, and the inevitable tensions within familial relationships. Through its intricate imagery and nuanced narrative, Susan Wood captures the beauty and fragility of life, the weight of past decisions, and the enduring connections between mothers and daughters. The poem’s exploration of memory as both a record and a reimagining invites readers to consider how their own recollections shape their identities and relationships, offering a deeply resonant reflection on the human experience.

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