Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Women" by David Baker is a masterfully crafted poem that delves into the lives of women engaged in domestic tasks, set against the backdrop of an approaching storm. Through his vivid imagery and careful attention to the minutiae of their environment, Baker not only captures the physicality of their world but also hints at the deeper emotional and psychological undercurrents that run through their communal existence.

The poem begins with a seemingly ordinary scene: women gathered at the back porch sink, a routine end to the day signaled by the "chintz curtains." However, the tranquility of the evening is disturbed by a "worrisome breeze," suggesting the onset of change or disturbance. This breeze, interacting with the domestic setting of dishtowels and cane chairs, introduces a sense of unease that pervades the poem, transforming the familiar into a prelude to the unknown.

As the women complete their chores, preparing for the next day with a methodical attention to detail, there is a shift from the domestic interior to the natural world outside. The "fine screen" serves as a boundary between the safety of the home and the unpredictability of nature, with the "apple limbs shiver[ing]" as an ominous sign. Baker's use of the natural environment as a mirror for the women's internal states is a powerful motif, suggesting a connection between their emotional landscape and the physical world.

The poem subtly escalates the tension with the anticipation of a storm, described through the metaphor of a "tornado, only small," localized near the smokehouse. This choice of setting, next to a structure used for preserving food, underscores themes of survival, preparation, and resilience. The women's decision to "wait out what falls" in the smokehouse reflects a pragmatic response to the impending threat, highlighting their collective strength and adaptability.

As the men retreat to the front room, isolated in their own world of "papers," the women remain vigilant, observing the merging of "black clouds and night." The storm's approach is marked by tangible effects: the sweeping out of the kitchen, the loss of the day's fragrances, and a shift in the women's activities towards readiness. The "winding of string, a straightening of things" suggests a gathering of resources, both physical and emotional, in preparation for what is to come.

Baker captures the women's anxiety and determination through their body language—the "nervous touching of fingertips to hair" and the "rubbing of hands"—gestures that convey concern and a need for reassurance. The poem concludes with a powerful image of the curtains "standing straight out," a visual representation of the storm's force but also of the women's resolve.

"The Women" is a poignant exploration of the intersection between the domestic sphere and the natural world, of the communal bonds that sustain individuals through moments of uncertainty. Baker's nuanced portrayal of these women, engaged in the rituals of preparation and resilience, offers a meditation on the strength found in shared experience and the unspoken understandings that bind communities together in the face of adversity

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