Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Three Perfect Days" deftly captures the contrast between the idealized perfection often depicted in travel brochures or inflight magazines and the mundane, sometimes uncomfortable realities of life. Through the lens of a traveler squeezed into the middle seat of an airplane, Pastan explores the yearning for an unattainable ideal and the small disappointments that punctuate our daily existence.

The poem begins with the speaker's immediate discomfort: she is "in the middle seat of an airplane," flanked by an "overweight woman" who dominates the armrest and a man engrossed in his computer game. This scenario sets up a relatable moment of frustration and physical confinement, emphasizing the less glamorous aspects of travel. The speaker's reality is grounded in the ordinary and somewhat uncomfortable, a stark contrast to the "three perfect days" she reads about in the inflight magazine.

The magazine article promises an idealized experience, this time set in Kyoto but easily interchangeable with other exotic locales like "Madagascar or one of the Virgin Islands." These perfect days are filled with idealized images— "the perfect hotel" with a smiling waiter serving a flawlessly coddled egg, "walks over perfect bridges" that seem to defy the laws of physics, and visits to zoos where "rain is forbidden" and "no small child is ever bored or crying." This depiction of perfection, however, is so meticulously crafted that it feels almost artificial, an unattainable fantasy that stands in sharp contrast to the speaker's current situation.

The speaker’s growing desire for even just "one perfect day" anywhere at all underscores a deep longing for simplicity and peace, free from the annoyances of everyday life—mosquitoes, traffic, and distressing news headlines. This wish for a day without "any kind of turbulence" reflects a yearning for stability and calm, both literal and metaphorical. The mention of turbulence becomes particularly poignant as the poem shifts from the imagined perfection to the immediate reality of the flight, where the pilot instructs passengers to fasten their seatbelts, and even the flight attendants appear uneasy.

The turbulence here serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable challenges of life, reminding us that no matter how much we crave perfection, we are often confronted with circumstances beyond our control. The nervous flight attendants signal that even those who are supposed to provide reassurance can sometimes be shaken, emphasizing the inherent uncertainty of existence.

"Three Perfect Days" ultimately reflects on the tension between idealized fantasies and the imperfections of real life. The speaker's experience on the plane, squeezed between two strangers and facing the prospect of turbulence, is far removed from the serene and flawless days depicted in the magazine. Yet, through this contrast, Pastan invites readers to consider the value of imperfection and the idea that our yearning for an unattainable ideal may cause us to overlook the moments of beauty and contentment that exist within the everyday, however flawed they may be.

In this poem, Pastan captures the universal human longing for an escape from the ordinary, while also acknowledging that such perfection is often elusive. The poem leaves us with the understanding that while perfect days may be an appealing fantasy, the true essence of life lies in navigating and finding meaning in the turbulence, both expected and unexpected, that we encounter along the way.

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