Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Ingram Merrill’s poem "Alessio and the Zinnias" is a reflection on the paradoxes of growth, responsibility, and aesthetics, as seen through the lens of a seemingly simple childhood experience. The poem intertwines themes of innocence and the inevitable lessons of life, conveyed with Merrill’s characteristic wit and nuanced language.

The poem opens by setting the scene: Alessio, likely around the age of eight, is given a "seed packet" and a small plot of land on an estate to cultivate. This task, though seemingly simple, introduces him to the "grim law" of growth—a process that is both inevitable and unyielding. The phrase "to grow, to grow—grim law / Without appeal!" underscores the inevitability of growth, both for the zinnias and for Alessio himself. Just as the plants are compelled to sprout and thrive, so too does Alessio continue to grow, a process beyond his control.

As the plants begin to sprout, "green enough / For the whole canton," the poem touches on the idea of abundance and excess. The young Alessio, perhaps unaware of the need to thin the seedlings, ends up with an overwhelming number of zinnias by Michaelmas. This scene serves as a metaphor for the unintended consequences of unchecked growth, whether in nature or in life.

The zinnias, described as a "gang of ruffians," become a source of discomfort for Alessio. Their "gaudy, wooden attitudes" are likened to "pine cones in drag," a humorous yet disdainful image that conveys Alessio’s distaste for their artificiality. The zinnias, with their bright and flamboyant colors, stand in stark contrast to Alessio’s aesthetic sensibilities, which seem to lean toward a more understated elegance.

The poem then shifts from the specific experience of cultivating zinnias to broader life lessons that Alessio learns "over the years" from this experience. The first lesson, "Think twice before causing / Just anything to be," suggests a newfound awareness of the consequences of one’s actions. This could be interpreted as a caution against reckless creation or decision-making, an understanding that once something is brought into existence, it cannot easily be undone.

The second lesson, "Hold your head high in the stinking / Throngs of kind," speaks to the importance of maintaining dignity and self-respect, even in less-than-ideal circumstances. The use of "stinking throngs" suggests that the world, much like the unruly zinnias, can be overwhelming and unpleasant, yet one must navigate it with poise.

Finally, the directive to "Joyously assimilate the Sun" is an encouragement to embrace life’s opportunities and energy, much as the zinnias do, despite their perceived flaws. However, the cautionary note to "Never wear orange or pink" is a return to the theme of aesthetics, emphasizing Alessio’s distaste for the gaudy and flamboyant.

In "Alessio and the Zinnias," Merrill uses the childhood memory of tending to a garden as a vehicle for exploring the complexities of growth, responsibility, and taste. The zinnias, with their riotous colors and unruly growth, become symbols of the challenges and lessons that life presents. Through this experience, Alessio learns to approach life with a blend of caution, dignity, and joy, while also developing a refined sense of aesthetics that will guide him in the years to come.

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