Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Wisteria Floribunda" captures a moment of sensory immersion and the almost magical transformation of nature in spring. The poem's concise structure and vivid imagery evoke a scene where the natural world teeters on the edge of the surreal, blending the visual beauty of wisteria with an undercurrent of movement and life.

The poem opens with the speaker being "Half drunk / on the heavy scent / of purple," immediately situating the reader in a state of sensory overload. The word "drunk" suggests a kind of intoxication, not with alcohol but with the overwhelming fragrance of the wisteria. This description conveys the potency of the scent, which is so strong it alters the speaker's perception of the world around her. The color "purple" here is not just a hue but an experience, enveloping the speaker and drawing her deeper into the natural world.

As the poem progresses, the speaker’s altered perception leads her to "almost expect / the naked / trees." The use of "naked" to describe the trees highlights their bare, vulnerable state, perhaps after shedding their leaves in the previous season. However, the imagery that follows—of the trees stepping "from behind / their fringed / and beaded / curtains"—infuses these trees with a sense of life and movement. The "fringed / and beaded / curtains" are likely a reference to the draping clusters of wisteria flowers, which hang like ornate decorations from the branches. This image suggests that the trees are not static, but rather actors waiting to make an entrance, hidden momentarily behind a veil of blossoms.

The final lines, "to the electric thrum / of bees," bring the scene to life with sound and movement. The "electric thrum" captures the energy and activity of bees, which are drawn to the wisteria's blooms. The bees’ presence signifies the vibrancy of spring, where nature is buzzing with life and activity. The use of "electric" implies a certain intensity, a hum that is both natural and charged with energy. This auditory element adds depth to the poem, making the scene not just a visual experience but a multi-sensory one.

"Wisteria Floribunda" is a brief yet evocative poem that masterfully blends sensory detail with imaginative imagery. Through the scent of wisteria, the bare trees, and the hum of bees, Pastan creates a moment where nature is both familiar and on the brink of transformation, filled with a life and energy that seem almost otherworldly. The poem invites readers to experience the natural world not just as passive observers, but as participants in its ongoing dance of life and renewal.

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