Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost's poem "Waking" captures a moment of surreal and intense experience, intertwining elements of dream and reality, life and death, and human empathy with a visceral connection to the natural world. The poem's haunting imagery and reflective tone convey a profound meditation on mortality and the unsettling nature of dreams that blur the boundaries between consciousness and unconsciousness.

The poem opens with a scene set at dusk, a time often associated with transition and ambiguity: "It was dusk, the light hesitating / and a murmur in the wind, when the deer, exhausted, / turned to look at me, an arrow in its side." This moment of hesitation and exhaustion, both in the light and the deer, immediately places the reader in a state of suspense and anticipation. The image of the deer with an arrow in its side evokes a sense of vulnerability and pain, setting the stage for the narrative that unfolds.

The speaker expresses a certain disdain for dreamers who weave their experiences into "the loom of Self—the secret, / gaudy, wonderful new cloth." This metaphor suggests a criticism of those who indulge in self-centered or fantastical interpretations of their dreams. However, despite this pity for dreamers, the speaker feels compelled to tell the end of the story, indicating that the dream holds significant weight and meaning.

The description of the deer's injury is graphic and poignant: "His shoulder was torn, the joint held by one sinew, / which I severed with the blade of the arrow, / so when he ran there were no impediments." This act of mercy, severing the sinew to free the deer from further pain, highlights the speaker's empathy and the harsh reality of the situation. The deer's freedom, though brief, is juxtaposed with the relentless pursuit of "the black dogs that followed were swifter, / their barking ancient, despicable." The dogs symbolize an unavoidable and ancient force of nature, predatory and unrelenting.

As the deer falls, transforming into a figure with "his chest turned to breastplate, / his one powerful arm covered with pagan signs," the poem delves into a mythic or archetypal dimension. This transformation suggests a blending of human and animal, reality and myth, further emphasizing the dreamlike quality of the narrative. The speaker, "nearly stupid in my waiting for what would happen next," reflects a sense of helplessness and anticipation, as both the speaker and the deer are propelled "toward dust," underscoring the inevitability of death.

The poem concludes with the speaker waking abruptly: "I woke, the sheets soaked, heart fluttering—:" The physical sensations of waking—soaked sheets and a fluttering heart—mirror the intense emotional and physical experience of the dream. The final lines, "When death comes into the sleeping room as through a tiny hole, / like a rent in the Covenant, it hurts," encapsulate the intrusion of mortality into the intimate space of sleep. The metaphor of a "rent in the Covenant" suggests a breach in the sacred agreement or protection, highlighting the profound and unsettling impact of the dream on the speaker's psyche.

"Waking" by Carol Frost is a deeply evocative poem that explores the intersection of dream and reality, empathy and survival, and the ever-present shadow of mortality. Through its vivid imagery and contemplative tone, the poem invites readers to reflect on the powerful and often disquieting nature of dreams, the fragility of life, and the inevitable approach of death. Frost's masterful use of language and symbolism creates a poignant and resonant meditation on the human condition and the profound experiences that shape our understanding of life and death.

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