Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"IThe Reminder" is a poem by Theodore Roethke that describes a memory of the speaker's childhood. The crossing-tender's garden is vividly portrayed, with its "dwarf dahlias, / Snapdragons, purple stalks of veronica," and most notably, the "hot red / Geraniums, smoldering through spurge and mignonette." The speaker is drawn to this garden and its vivid colors, and he returns to it in his memory as a way of seeking solace in the midst of present troubles.

The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. The geraniums, in particular, are described in sensual terms, with their "hot" color and their smoldering quality, which suggests a sense of passion and intensity. The use of the word "smoldering" is also significant, as it implies a sense of danger and unpredictability, which are qualities that are often associated with the natural world.

The crossing-tender, who tends to the garden, is also portrayed in a positive light, as someone who is connected to the natural world and who finds solace and comfort in it. The speaker sees the crossing-tender as a kind of guardian, someone who is able to protect and nurture the natural world in the midst of a more chaotic and unpredictable human environment.

Overall, "I remember the crossing-tender's geranium border" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world, and that reminds us of the importance of seeking solace and comfort in times of trouble. Its use of vivid imagery and sensual language creates a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing, and its portrayal of the crossing-tender as a kind of guardian figure underscores the poem's larger themes of protection and nurturing.

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