Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Second" by Clayton Eshleman is a deeply evocative poem that captures the juxtaposition of life's continuities and endings within the natural cycle, portrayed through vivid and tactile imagery. The poem contrasts the vitality of nature and human life against the backdrop of mortality, exemplified by the presence of tombs.

The poem opens with "Old ladies poke up path, a dying fire," instantly setting a tone of decline and the waning of life. The imagery of old ladies ascending a path metaphorically suggests a journey towards the end of life, further emphasized by the phrase "a dying fire." This could symbolize the fading vitality of these women as they move through a landscape marked by the finality of death, yet still alive with the natural world.

The setting "bluely by pines to where tombs rise," adds a layer of serenity and depth to the scene. The color blue, often associated with calmness and depth, here contrasts with the somber image of tombs, places of rest and endings. The pines, evergreen and enduring, symbolize resilience and the perpetual cycle of life, standing stark against the finality of the tombs.

The old ladies' reaction to the fall buds with exclamations marks a poignant moment of interaction between the elderly and the new life emerging in nature. Fall buds, typically signaling the onset of decay in the autumn, paradoxically here symbolize renewal and life, which the women acknowledge despite their proximity to tombs. This reflects a natural acceptance of life's cycle, where death and renewal coexist.

A touching personal element is introduced with "a grandbaby washed," suggesting a continuation of life through generations. This line, simple yet profound, serves as a reminder of ongoing life and new beginnings, even as the old pass on. It highlights the familial bonds and the legacy that persists beyond individual lifetimes.

The scene shifts dramatically with "the sky alters their pleas," indicating a change in perception or reality influenced by the surroundings or by a shift in the weather, which often serves as a metaphor for emotional or existential shifts in poetry.

The culmination of the poem in the image of the poet's wife walking "up the road my wife naked, her arms filled with wild grasses carrots beans" is striking and laden with symbolism. Her nakedness may represent purity, essential vitality, or a return to nature, unburdened by the constructs of society. The wild grasses, carrots, and beans she carries are symbols of fertility, growth, and sustenance—directly contrasting with the tombs and the old ladies, thus emphasizing the cycle of life and renewal. This vivid depiction of the wife, both vulnerable and nurturing, encapsulates the essence of life's resilience and the beauty of natural, unadulterated existence.

Overall, "The Second" uses the juxtaposition of life and death, youth and old age, to explore profound themes of existence, continuity, and the cyclical nature of life. Eshleman's imagery is rich and layered, providing a multifaceted reflection on human life within the broader tapestry of nature and time.

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