Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Rachel Hadas’s poem "Waiting" intricately captures the tense, suspended state of waiting, a time marked by uncertainty, bureaucracy, and existential reflection. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Hadas delves into the psychological and emotional landscape of those caught in a liminal space, waiting for an uncertain resolution.

The poem opens with a prediction from the concierge: "Each afternoon now (the concierge foretold it) / sun visits us a little." This initial line introduces the sunbeam as a symbol of fleeting hope or an unwelcome intruder in an otherwise dreary existence. The personification of the blue walls, which "toss the sunbeam off the lion's head," suggests a discomfort with this rare intrusion of light, reflecting the inhabitants' unease and resistance to fleeting optimism amidst their wait.

The mention of the "time limit for refutation" expiring on Monday introduces a bureaucratic element to their waiting. This phrase implies an impending deadline, a moment of reckoning that adds to the tension. The fact that "No one had told us it existed" underscores the arbitrariness and frustration often associated with bureaucratic processes, heightening the sense of helplessness and unpredictability.

Hadas uses the imagery of sitting "around the emptying apartment like refugees waiting for an exit visa" to convey the protagonists' sense of displacement and longing for escape. The apartment, filled with "piled cartons, fruit we hope we'll never eat," symbolizes a transient space, filled with items that signify both their past life and an uncertain future. The two ceramic lions serve as silent witnesses to their plight, emblematic of strength and resilience yet ultimately inanimate and powerless.

The line "Don't look up: our eyes would have to meet" captures the avoidance and tension between the individuals, suggesting a fear of confronting their shared reality and the depth of their predicament. The phrase "we might breathe deeply / 'Oof! The worst is over. Has to be.'" speaks to a desperate need for reassurance, yet also a fear of tempting fate by expressing such thoughts.

The poem then shifts to a reflection on the deceptive stillness "past the eye of the storm." This metaphor suggests that the apparent calm they experience may be misleading, a temporary respite before further turmoil. The mention of "Dead friends are more consoling than the living" conveys a profound sense of loss and alienation, where the memories of deceased friends offer more comfort than the uncertain presence of the living.

Hadas touches on the dark thoughts that arise in this state of waiting: "There are moments you might strangle me from behind." This candid admission reflects the psychological strain and potential for violence that can emerge in prolonged periods of stress and uncertainty.

As they wait, the peripheral aspects of their life "keep peeling off in preparation for going, if we ever go." This stripping away of the non-essential underscores the focus on survival and the bare necessities. The rhetorical question "What's left? Books? Records? You don't read. I don't read now." highlights the abandonment of normal activities and pleasures, replaced by a mere endurance of time.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the passage of time: "What do we do? We see the evening lengthen. / We follow earth's wobbly vernal passage." This observation of the changing seasons and the lengthening evenings suggests a deep awareness of time's passage, even as they remain stuck in their waiting.

The final lines, "The visiting social worker sunbeam lights up our daily waiting," return to the symbol of the sunbeam, now described as a "social worker." This personification suggests that the sunbeam, like a social worker, provides a brief, superficial check-in, illuminating their waiting without offering a resolution.

"Waiting" by Rachel Hadas masterfully encapsulates the existential angst and emotional strain of living in a state of prolonged uncertainty. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, the poem explores the psychological impact of waiting, the erosion of normalcy, and the search for meaning and comfort in a seemingly endless liminal space. Hadas's nuanced portrayal invites readers to empathize with the profound human experience of waiting and the resilience it demands.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...