Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Late Afternoon, St. John" captures a moment of profound sensory immersion in the natural beauty of a tropical setting. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting, yet intensely vivid experiences of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, as the speaker urges themselves to fully surrender to the present moment. Through rich, evocative imagery, Pastan explores the themes of transience, sensory overload, and the deep connection between the natural world and human experience.

The poem begins with a striking image: "A little blue heron has landed / on the roof." The heron, a delicate and graceful bird, serves as a symbol of tranquility and perhaps even a sense of the divine, as the speaker likens it to "a small angel" that has "parked / in our lives." This comparison imbues the scene with a sense of the miraculous, suggesting that the presence of the heron offers a brief moment of protection or blessing, as its wings "shield" the speaker and their surroundings. The heron's landing is an interruption in the ordinary flow of life, a moment that demands attention and appreciation.

The poem then shifts to the scene in the cove, where "the old turtle / surfaces again" and "shadows / of reef fish shiver by." These images evoke the slow, timeless movements of sea creatures, suggesting a connection to the ancient and enduring rhythms of nature. The turtle, with its repeated surfacing, represents continuity and resilience, while the "shivering" shadows of the fish convey a sense of fragility and transience. The interplay of light and shadow in this underwater world mirrors the delicate balance between presence and absence, visibility and obscurity.

On land, the chameleons "go through their wheel of colors," a vivid depiction of the constant change and adaptability inherent in nature. The chameleons' ability to shift colors reflects the theme of transformation and the fleeting nature of moments, as they respond to their environment in a way that is both natural and mysterious. The "rustle of coconut fronds / combing the soft air" adds to the sensory richness of the scene, as the sound and movement of the fronds create a soothing, almost tactile experience. The "glitter / of passing raindrops" further enhances this sensory immersion, capturing the ephemeral beauty of a brief shower, each drop catching the light as it falls.

As the poem progresses, the speaker repeats the phrase "Let go. Let go," a mantra that underscores the poem's central theme of surrendering to the moment. This repetition suggests a conscious effort to release any resistance or tension, to fully embrace the sensory experience without holding back. The impending sunset, described as the moment when "the sun will plunge / into the sea dragging its plumage / of pinks and purples," evokes a powerful image of the day's end. The sun's "plunge" into the sea is both a dramatic and inevitable conclusion, the vibrant colors of the sunset likened to the rich feathers of a bird. This imagery reinforces the idea of beauty in transience, as the day’s final moments are both fleeting and intensely beautiful.

The poem concludes with a heightened sensory awareness: "I can almost taste / the oleander, smell / the salt on your skin." These lines emphasize the proximity of the speaker to their environment and to the person they are with, suggesting an intimacy that is both physical and emotional. The sensory details of taste and smell bring the reader even closer to the experience, making the scene not just visible but palpable. The final lines, "Soon we will drown / in our five exploding senses," encapsulate the overwhelming richness of the moment. The word "drown" suggests a complete immersion in the sensory world, a surrender to the intensity of the experience, where the boundaries between the self and the environment dissolve in a flood of sensations.

"Late Afternoon, St. John" is a poem that celebrates the fullness of life’s sensory experiences, particularly in the context of a beautiful and serene natural setting. Through her precise and evocative language, Pastan captures the fleeting yet powerful moments of connection with the world around us, urging the reader to let go and fully embrace the present. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of being attuned to our senses, to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, and to find peace in the act of surrendering to the moment.

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