Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"River" by Martha Collins is a deeply reflective and evocative poem that navigates the flow of memory, desire, and loss through the motif of a river. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, Collins explores the passage of time, the complexity of human experience, and the indelible marks left by moments both revealed and concealed.

1. The poem opens with an aerial view of a river as the speaker follows its course from a plane. Described as a "Silver / ribbon, severed light," the river becomes a symbol of continuity and separation, an element of the landscape that can be observed, imagined, and longed for. The idea of being able to "take it in my hands" suggests a desire for control or connection with something vast and flowing.

2. A childhood memory introduces a moment of early exposure to sexuality and perhaps vulnerability or confusion. The description of a boy with his "fly / unzipped" and the object in his hand described in innocent, almost playful terms contrasts with the potential for discomfort or shame in such an encounter. This juxtaposition speaks to the complexities of coming to understand sexuality and the body.

3. The admission "I have been leaving almost / everything out" acknowledges the selective nature of memory and storytelling. This line acts as a pivot in the poem, hinting at the depth of what remains unsaid, the experiences and emotions that are omitted from the narrative.

4. A dream within the familiar yet distant setting of the speaker's parents' bed conjures a sense of longing and desire. This segment delves into the realm of unfulfilled or unexpressed yearnings, where what is "left out" is also profoundly "left in his arms," suggesting that the most intense desires and regrets may be those that are never fully articulated or realized.

5. The metaphor of erasing a board, where the erased content lingers as a palimpsest, explores the theme of memory and forgetting. This image reflects the impossibility of completely erasing the past or its impact on the present, suggesting that experiences and words leave traces that endure beyond their apparent removal.

6. The poem closes by returning to the image of the river as the speaker lands. The meditation on the verb "to rive" and the self-entering nature of the river captures the dual forces of separation and unity, of cutting apart and coming together. The narrative comes full circle, with the river's flow mirroring the journey of the poem itself—from observation to introspection, from external landscapes to the interior worlds of memory and desire.

"River" weaves a complex tapestry of imagery and emotion, inviting readers to reflect on the ways in which our lives are like rivers—carrying us through landscapes of joy, pain, discovery, and loss. Collins masterfully captures the fluidity of human experience, the enduring presence of the past, and the constant movement towards understanding and acceptance. Through its richly layered narrative, "River" offers a meditation on the currents that shape our lives, the dreams that propel us, and the memories that anchor us to our pasts and to each other.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...