Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton’s poem "Aviation" presents a vivid exploration of loneliness and human interaction set against the stark and isolating backdrop of the North. Through the juxtaposition of various human activities, Fulton examines how people seek connection and meaning in environments that are often bleak and unforgiving.

The poem begins with a stark assertion: "Nothing is lonelier than what's human." This sentiment sets the tone for the exploration of loneliness as an inherent part of the human condition. The image of a group of people at work or play causing a "quiver" through the speaker’s differences underscores a sense of alienation and the discomfort of being out of place even among others.

Fulton then shifts to a detailed description of life up North, where the early igniting windows symbolize the inner lives of people, each glowing like "tiny drive-in screens." This metaphor suggests that people’s private worlds are on display, yet remain inaccessible and distant, much like watching a film from afar. The "bingo-playing ladies" in social halls are compared to air controllers, their focus and intent highlighting the routine and somewhat mechanical nature of their leisure activities. The metallic taste acquired from coins and flat Coke emphasizes the cold, impersonal aspect of this environment, where even small pleasures are tinged with a sense of sterility.

The poem’s depiction of a bingo hall culminates in a "gray funk" that hangs in the air, thick enough to "choke a poet or a pit pony." This oppressive atmosphere suggests a stifling of creativity and vitality, a place where joy and life are suffocated by the monotony and the very air itself.

Fulton moves on to describe the cold, sparse life in a "6 x 6 mobile hut" against the snow, a stark image of isolation. The anglers inside, fishing through floor-holes, are connected to the river beneath, yet they remain separated from it by the ice and snow. The window ledges bubbling with plastic-bagged catches reflect a meager and blurry light, hinting at the limited and distorted nature of their existence and accomplishments.

The speaker then contemplates the snowshoe maker, a figure who sits in a maritime light, weaving cowhide through tear-shaped frames. This act of creating snowshoes, described as "blow-ups of lace, of butterfly veins," allows hunters and lovers to traverse the delicate snow without sinking, a metaphor for navigating the fragile terrain of life and relationships. Despite her admiration for the snowshoe maker’s craft, the speaker feels a disconnect, suggesting that the woman would have "no use" for her. This sense of exclusion reinforces the theme of isolation and the difficulty of finding one’s place.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the speaker’s limited understanding of a sport, recalling an all-women’s match between the Maliotenam Indian Reserve and Ursula's Body Shop. The clash of "high colors" against the white snow represents the vibrancy of human struggle and competition amidst a stark and indifferent landscape. The speaker’s surprise at the sport’s importance despite knowing nothing about it mirrors the larger theme of finding meaning and significance in unfamiliar and isolating environments.

In "Aviation," Alice Fulton masterfully captures the nuanced loneliness of human existence through rich imagery and poignant reflections. The poem’s exploration of various activities and interactions against a harsh Northern backdrop highlights the ways in which people seek connection and meaning, often amidst profound isolation and alienation. Through her detailed and evocative language, Fulton invites readers to contemplate the delicate balance between human connection and the inherent solitude of life.

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