Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Reason" by Barbara Guest is a reflective piece that explores themes of displacement, introspection, and the ever-present influence of nature and environment on human emotions. Guest weaves together vivid imagery and a contemplative tone to convey the complexity of her inner world.

The poem opens with the speaker contemplating their presence in a specific, possibly urban, setting: "That is why I am here not among the ibises. / Why the permanent city parasol covers even me." The use of the ibises, often associated with exotic or natural locales, juxtaposed with the city parasol, establishes a contrast between nature and urban life. The speaker's sense of being covered by the city parasol suggests a feeling of being confined or protected within the urban environment, away from the natural freedom represented by the ibises.

Guest then delves into the impact of the changing seasons: "It was the rains / in the occult season. It was the snows on the lower slopes. / It was water and cold in my mouth." These lines evoke a sense of the elemental forces shaping the speaker's experience. The mention of the "occult season" hints at a mysterious or hidden aspect of time, adding a layer of depth to the poem. The sensory details of water and cold emphasize the physical and emotional impact of these elements on the speaker.

The speaker's lack of proper footwear on cobbles, described as "still antique," adds a historical dimension to the poem: "A lack of shoes / on what appeared to be cobbles which were still antique." This imagery suggests a connection to the past, as if the speaker is treading on ancient grounds without adequate protection. It highlights a sense of vulnerability and discomfort, both physically and metaphorically.

Guest introduces a shift in tone with the phrase "Well wild wild whatever / in wild more silent blue / petals fall." The repetition of "wild" underscores a sense of chaos or untamed nature. The falling petals and the silent blue evoke a serene yet melancholic atmosphere. The vase gripping the stems and the darkening chrysanthemum symbolize the inevitability of change and decay. This imagery captures the fleeting beauty of life and the inevitability of loss.

The speaker's introspection deepens as they describe a "mustard feeling" that clutches them, likening it to a form of anxiety or discomfort: "Sometimes this mustard feeling clutches me also. / My sleep is reckoned in straws." The mustard feeling, an unusual yet evocative description, conveys a sense of unease. The metaphor of sleep being "reckoned in straws" suggests a fragile and fragmented state of rest, further emphasizing the speaker's inner turmoil.

Despite these feelings of discomfort and fragmentation, the speaker finds a way to navigate their environment: "Yet I wake up / and am followed into the street." The act of waking up signifies resilience and continuity. Being followed into the street could imply a sense of being pursued by their thoughts or emotions, or it might suggest a connection to the larger world despite the speaker's internal struggles.

Barbara Guest's "A Reason" is a nuanced exploration of the interplay between the external environment and the internal emotional landscape. Through rich, sensory imagery and contemplative reflections, Guest captures the complexities of living in a world where nature and urbanity intersect. The poem speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of both tangible and intangible challenges, offering a profound meditation on existence and the search for meaning.

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