Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Aside" by Alan Dugan captures a poignant scene of urban life, portraying a moment that intertwines the innocence of childhood with the somberness of the world they move through. Set under the elevated train tracks ("the El"), the poem details the seemingly mundane yet symbolically rich activity of little girls walking home from church on a Sunday afternoon. The scene is vividly set against the backdrop of the industrial cityscape, characterized by grey cement, newspapers, and steel girders.

The imagery in the poem is meticulous and evocative. Dugan describes how the "paper on the pavement swirls around the feet of little girls in white anklets and black latticed shoes." This swirling paper, possibly discarded newspapers, suggests the chaos and clutter of urban life, contrasting with the orderly and composed demeanor of the girls as they navigate through it. This contrast is further emphasized by their dress—white anklets and black shoes underlining innocence and formality, set against the disorderly urban environment.

The girls are depicted as "ballasted by bibles," a metaphor that suggests they are weighted or stabilized by their faith, reflected in their physical journey home from church. This image of being "ballasted" implies a steadiness given to them by their religious belief or practice, helping them maintain equilibrium in the face of the surrounding urban decay and moral complexity. The mention of their "identical red hats" as the only color in an otherwise grey scene adds a visual emphasis to their unity and distinctiveness, highlighting their innocence and perhaps the simplicity of their faith amidst the city’s monochrome.

Dugan subtly introduces the themes of violence and calamity with the lines "On murders, / wrecks, disease and war." The mention of these grim realities serves as a stark reminder of the world these children inhabit—a world reported on in the newspapers that swirl at their feet. Yet, the impact of these global and adult concerns is juxtaposed against the sound of the girls' heels making "sober solitary sounds appropriate to Sunday." The description of their footsteps conveys a sense of solemnity and reflection fitting for a Sunday, traditionally a day of rest and worship, but here it also suggests an awareness, however muted by their youth, of the sober realities that surround them.

The poem, while brief, is dense with symbolism and contrast. Dugan uses the simple image of children walking from church to explore deeper questions about the innocence of youth, the role of faith in providing moral and emotional guidance, and the omnipresence of societal issues even in seemingly quiet and personal moments. "Aside" stands out for its ability to evoke a snapshot of life that is both everyday and emblematic, inviting readers to consider the ways in which personal and public realms intersect and influence each other, especially through the lens of youth navigating a complex world.

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