Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Not Forgotten" by Toi Derricotte is a poignant and reflective poem that delves into themes of memory, loss, and the rituals of mourning and remembrance. Through the lens of the natural world and a personal anecdote, Derricotte explores the ways in which the living honor and keep alive the memory of those who have passed away.

The poem begins with an observation of black ants and their practice of carrying their dead. This act, described with respect and a sense of admiration, serves as a metaphor for the care and reverence with which the living treat those who have died. The ants' efforts to ensure "that every part will be of service" highlights a communal respect for life and death, presenting a stark contrast to human discomfort with death and the physical remains of the dead. Derricotte's use of the phrase "not grisly as it would be for us" subtly critiques the human tendency to shy away from the physicality of death, suggesting that there is a natural, even noble, aspect to this cycle that humans often fail to appreciate.

The poem then shifts to a deeply personal moment between the speaker's husband and his deceased father. The description of the husband tending to his father's overgrown grave is a powerful image of love and remembrance. His actions—cutting away the grass that has obscured the headstone and cleaning it—are symbolic of the desire to preserve the memory of the deceased, to ensure that they are not forgotten even as time moves on.

The husband's question, "Is this the way we’ll be forgotten?" speaks to a universal fear of being lost to memory, of one's life and impact fading away as nature and time reclaim the physical markers of our existence. This moment of vulnerability and reflection opens up a broader contemplation on the nature of memory and the ways in which individuals seek to maintain a connection to those who have passed.

The poem concludes with the husband weeping over the grave, a gesture of grief and love that underscores the emotional weight of remembrance. This final image captures the essence of mourning as an act of love—a way of honoring and keeping alive the memory of those who have died.

"Not Forgotten" is a beautifully crafted meditation on the rituals of death and remembrance. Through its juxtaposition of the natural world with human emotion and tradition, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own practices of memory and mourning. Derricotte's tender and insightful exploration of this theme offers a reminder of the power of love and memory to transcend the barriers of death, ensuring that those we have lost are never truly forgotten.

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