Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "In Every Life" presents a meditation on the fleeting nature of the self and the moments of transcendence that punctuate our everyday existence. The poem juxtaposes human introspection with the perspectives of a tulip and a dog, creating a dialogue that explores the fluid boundaries between self-awareness, identity, and the natural world. Through this interplay of voices, Ostriker delves into the philosophical questions of selfhood, epiphany, and the interconnectedness of all things.

The poem begins with a reflection on the human experience: "In every life there's a moment or two / when the self disappears." This observation suggests that the self, typically understood as the core of our identity, is not a constant but rather something that can dissolve in certain moments. The phrase "the cruel wound / takes over" implies that these moments of self-disappearance are often triggered by pain or suffering, experiences so intense that they eclipse the ordinary sense of self. Yet, the poem also acknowledges that there are other, more positive moments when "we are filled with sky / or with birds or / simply with the sugary tea on the table." These lines capture the beauty of simple pleasures and the capacity for the self to be momentarily absorbed by the world around us, leading to a sense of unity with nature or the mundane.

The introduction of the "old woman" as the speaker of these thoughts adds a layer of wisdom and experience to the meditation. Her perspective is one of someone who has lived through these moments of disappearance and transcendence, recognizing the dual nature of human experience—the oscillation between pain and beauty, between self and the world.

The tulip’s response, "I know what you mean... about epiphanies," acknowledges the concept of sudden, profound realizations or connections with the world. The tulip, as a symbol of natural beauty and renewal, understands the significance of moments like "a cloudless April sky" or "the approach of a butterfly"—instances that might inspire a sense of awe or spiritual awakening. However, the tulip admits that it has "not yet experienced" the disappearance of the self, highlighting a distinction between human consciousness, which is prone to fragmentation and loss, and the more stable, perhaps simpler consciousness of a flower, which remains rooted in the present.

This distinction between human and non-human perspectives is further explored through the voice of the "philosophical dog / under the table scratching his balls." The dog dismisses the tulip’s and the old woman’s distinctions between self and not-self, asserting that such divisions "do not exist in reality." The dog’s analogy—comparing self and not-self to "salt in ocean, cloud in sky / oxygen in fire"—suggests that these concepts are inseparable and intertwined, just as salt is an inherent part of the ocean or oxygen is essential to fire. This perspective challenges the human tendency to categorize and separate experiences, implying that the boundaries we perceive between ourselves and the world are artificial constructs.

The dog’s position beneath the table, engaged in a mundane, almost crude act of self-comfort, contrasts sharply with the lofty philosophical discussion. This contrast serves to ground the poem, reminding the reader that deep existential questions coexist with the everyday realities of life. The dog’s irreverence also injects a sense of humor into the poem, subtly critiquing the human propensity to overcomplicate or overthink existence, while animals remain content with the simplicity of their being.

"In Every Life" ultimately suggests that the self is both transient and integral to the broader fabric of existence. The poem encourages the reader to embrace the moments when the self fades away, whether through pain or beauty, while also recognizing that these experiences are part of a larger, interconnected reality where distinctions blur and dissolve. Ostriker's use of multiple voices—a wise old woman, a reflective tulip, and a pragmatic dog—creates a layered narrative that invites us to reconsider our understanding of selfhood, encouraging a more holistic and integrated view of our place in the world.

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