Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Riding the Subway in New York, I Remember" by Denise Duhamel is a poignant and visceral poem that recounts a traumatic childhood experience of being attacked by a German shepherd. The poem intertwines the past and present, using the memory of the attack to explore themes of vulnerability, resilience, and recovery within the urban landscape.

The poem begins with a vivid flashback to when the speaker, as a ten-year-old girl, was unexpectedly attacked by a German shepherd on her way to a friend's house. This incident is vividly depicted, with the dog's paws on her shoulders initially likened to a dance lesson or an embrace, only to turn violent. This juxtaposition captures the suddenness and shock of the attack, setting the tone for the emotional and physical turmoil that follows.

Duhamel skillfully captures the physicality of the attack, describing the dog's "silvery gray gums" and the speaker's subsequent fall to the ground. The imagery is stark and unsettling, with the sky described as a series of gray sweatshirts—implying a mundane, almost oppressive backdrop to the violent scene. The intervention of a man in an orange hard hat adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the indifference and harshness sometimes found in adult responses to children's distress.

The speaker's journey from the scene of the attack to her friend Donna's house is fraught with fear and pain, emphasized by the reactions of those around her. Donna's scream upon seeing the speaker's blood-soaked shirt and the lack of adult supervision further enhance the sense of isolation and trauma experienced by the speaker. The detailed description of the blood and injuries underscores the severity of the attack and the lasting impact it has on the speaker.

As the poem unfolds, the speaker reflects on the aftermath of the attack, including the emergency room visit and the reactions of her mother and the doctor. The mother's presence is portrayed as both comforting and dismissive, reflecting a common adult tendency to downplay children's pain to soothe them. The doctor's attempt to lighten the mood with jokes contrasts sharply with the gravity of the speaker's injuries, highlighting the often inadequate responses to trauma.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the scars left by the attack, both physical and emotional. The scars are described as "pink shiny maggots," a vivid and powerful image that conveys both the grotesqueness and the indelibility of the wounds. However, these scars also symbolize the speaker's resilience and survival, marking her as someone who has endured and overcome a significant challenge.

Overall, "Riding the Subway in New York, I Remember" is a deeply moving and layered poem that uses a personal memory to explore broader themes of trauma, resilience, and the complex interplay of memory and identity. Duhamel's use of vivid imagery and narrative depth creates a compelling portrait of a moment that is both intensely personal and universally resonant.

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