Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s poem "Sestina: As There Are Support Groups, There Are Support Words" is an intricate exploration of language, memory, and the complexities of human connection. Utilizing the demanding sestina form, Goldbarth weaves a narrative that is both whimsical and profound, blending scientific terminology with personal history to illustrate how words can anchor us in unfamiliar territories.

The poem begins with a quote from Alexander von Humboldt, a nineteenth-century scientist-explorer who found comfort in the scientific lexicon. This sets the stage for a journey into how language and terminology, particularly those from the scientific realm, can provide solace and familiarity in foreign or challenging environments. Humboldt’s delight in hearing terms like “hygrometer,” “nitrogen,” and “oxidation of iron” is mirrored in the poem’s recurring motifs, where these words serve as touchstones for identity and belonging.

Goldbarth cleverly uses the sestina’s repetitive structure to emphasize the cyclical nature of these themes. The poem’s six end-words—shire, hygrometer, fair, nitrogen, translation, and siren—are skillfully rotated through the stanzas, creating a tapestry of interconnected ideas. The repetition of these words underscores their significance and how they are interwoven into the fabric of the speaker’s experiences and memories.

In the first stanza, the speaker introduces the idea of finding comfort in familiar words while in distant lands. The mention of a “distant (and imponderable) shire” evokes a sense of alienation, but the cry of “Hygrometer! Fresh hygrometer for sale!” offers a surprising solace. This comfort is paralleled with the allure of a local siren whispering scientific terms, transforming mundane language into a source of reassurance.

The second stanza continues this exploration, drawing a parallel between the traveler’s longing for familiar words and the speaker’s grandmother’s experiences as an immigrant. The harsh realities she faced in America, symbolized by phrases like “We’re not hirin’ today” and “Go away,” highlight the alienation and prejudice immigrants often endure. However, just as the speaker’s grandmother found solace in her native language, the speaker finds comfort in the scientific terminology that transcends cultural boundaries.

Goldbarth’s use of the grandmother’s story adds a layer of historical and emotional depth to the poem. Her journey from being an immigrant struggling with English to her daughter and granddaughter’s fluency in multiple languages and cultures reflects the evolution of linguistic identity across generations. The granddaughter’s participation in a punk-grunge band and her ease with modern technology and diverse linguistic expressions further illustrate this progression.

In the fifth stanza, Goldbarth humorously juxtaposes the granddaughter’s contemporary lifestyle with the historical context of her grandmother’s struggles. Her lover’s occupation as a CEO at “Hygrometer, Potassium, Klein & Wong” ties back to the poem’s scientific motif, blending modern corporate success with the continuity of scientific language. The description of the “hygrometer man” as a formidable figure adds a touch of absurdity and whimsy, contrasting with the poem’s more serious reflections.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the imagery of a distant land where language and memory intertwine. The vision of birds singing and the soft whirr of the hygrometer evoke a sense of harmony and nostalgia. This concluding image suggests that, despite the complexities and challenges of language and translation, there is a universal longing for connection and understanding.

In "Sestina: As There Are Support Groups, There Are Support Words," Goldbarth masterfully blends scientific terminology with personal and historical narratives to explore the power of language as a source of comfort and identity. The poem’s intricate structure and playful tone invite readers to consider how words shape our experiences and connect us across time and space.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...