Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Remembering Frost at Kennedy's Inauguration" is a reflective piece that captures the historic moment of Robert Frost reading at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in January 1961. Through evocative imagery and a tone of both nostalgia and quiet melancholy, the poem explores the juxtaposition of youthful optimism and the enduring power of poetry in the face of political and personal challenges.

The poem opens with a stark description of the cold: "Even the flags seemed frozen / to their poles, and the men / stamping their well-shod feet / resembled an army of overcoats." These lines vividly convey the physical harshness of the day, emphasizing the freezing temperatures that characterized the inauguration. The image of flags "frozen to their poles" suggests a moment suspended in time, where even the symbols of the nation seem immobilized by the cold. The men, reduced to "an army of overcoats," are described in terms that strip them of individuality, emphasizing the uniformity and the collective endurance of those present.

Yet, despite the cold, the speaker recalls a sense of warmth and hope: "But we were young and fueled / by hope, our ardor burned away / the cold." This contrast between the physical cold and the metaphorical warmth of youthful idealism highlights the optimism that surrounded Kennedy's presidency. The word "ardor" conveys a passionate intensity, suggesting that the hope and enthusiasm of the time were powerful enough to counteract the harshness of the weather. The speaker identifies with the collective "we," expressing a shared sense of belonging and investment in the new administration: "We were the president’s, / and briefly the president would be ours." This sentiment captures the idealism and sense of possibility that marked the early days of Kennedy's presidency, a time when many felt a deep personal connection to the nation's leader and the direction in which he was taking the country.

The poem then shifts focus to Robert Frost, the "old poet" who delivered a reading at the inauguration: "The old poet stumbled / over his own indelible words, / his breath a wreath around his face: / a kind of prophecy." Frost, already an established and revered figure in American literature, is depicted as struggling with his reading, "stumbling" over the words. This moment of difficulty is made poignant by the description of his breath forming "a wreath around his face." The image of the wreath, traditionally associated with honor and remembrance, suggests both the dignity and the frailty of the aging poet. Frost's breath, visible in the cold air, serves as a reminder of the transience of life and the fleeting nature of the moment.

The phrase "a kind of prophecy" introduces a note of foreshadowing, hinting at the tragic events that would follow Kennedy's presidency. The poem subtly suggests that Frost's struggle with his words might symbolize the challenges and disappointments that would soon come, both for the Kennedy administration and for the nation. The idea of prophecy here is layered, as it could refer to the poet's inadvertent premonition of the difficulties ahead, or it might allude to the enduring power of poetry to capture and reflect deeper truths, even in moments of apparent failure.

"Remembering Frost at Kennedy's Inauguration" is a poem that encapsulates the complex interplay of hope, history, and the passage of time. Through its careful attention to imagery and tone, the poem reflects on the idealism of a bygone era, while also acknowledging the vulnerabilities and uncertainties that accompany any moment of great promise. Pastan's depiction of Frost, an icon of American poetry, serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of art and words, even—or perhaps especially—in moments of national significance. The poem resonates with a sense of loss and reflection, inviting readers to consider how the ideals of the past continue to shape and haunt the present.

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