Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"To Where" by David Ferry is a haunting and evocative poem that delves into the deep complexities of family dynamics, memory, and the burdens of heritage. The imagery is rich and mythic, overlaying personal history with classical echoes that give the narrative a timeless quality.

The poem opens with the speaker describing himself in an almost mythical fashion, "Wearing a tawny lion pelt upon / My spindly shoulders," which conjures images of ancient heroes, perhaps akin to Hercules. This heroic imagery juxtaposed with the description of "spindly shoulders" suggests a vulnerability or inadequacy in the speaker, highlighting the weight of the burden he carries.

The burden in question is both literal and metaphorical as the speaker carries "both of them, / My father and my mother, into the darkness." This act of carrying his parents symbolizes the emotional and psychological weight of familial expectations and legacies. The journey into darkness could represent a foray into the unknown aspects of family history, personal subconscious, or even a literal movement towards death or oblivion.

The father's presence in this journey is marked by his hoarse singing about weapons glimmering in the shadows, which adds an element of foreboding and conflict. This could suggest familial conflicts, personal battles, or historical struggles that the speaker inherits or perceives through the lens of family narrative. The father's mention of weapons also introduces a sense of aggression or defensiveness that the speaker has to navigate or carry.

In contrast, the mother's voice, "Above me in the dark," adds another dimension to the darkness enveloping the speaker. Her question, "Who’s there? Who is it there?" resonates with anxiety and uncertainty. It reflects the existential queries that arise within family interactions and memory—questions about identity, recognition, and understanding.

The line "Step after step together we make our way," emphasizes the collective journey, despite the darkness and uncertainty that characterizes it. It suggests a shared path through the figurative darkness of the past or the subconscious, highlighting the interconnectedness of familial relationships.

The final line, "In the darkness of my memory of our house," ties the poem’s themes back to memory and the psychological constructs of home. It suggests that the darkness and the journey are both part of the speaker’s internal landscape, shaped by his recollections and emotional experiences of family life.

Overall, "To Where" is a complex exploration of the burdens we inherit from our parents, the shared journey through the psychological landscapes of memory, and the struggle to find clarity within the shadows of familial legacies. David Ferry uses classical imagery and poignant narrative to weave a deeply personal yet universally resonant poem about identity, heritage, and the human condition.

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