Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson’s poem "Graduation" is a subtle, reflective piece that captures a moment of finality and acceptance. Through a simple narrative structure and plain language, Simpson explores themes of closure, familial ties, and the passage of time, all framed within the context of a graduation ceremony. The poem’s understated tone belies the deeper emotional undercurrents at play, as the speaker comes to terms with the end of a particular chapter in his life.

The poem begins with an interaction between the speaker and his ex-wife, who "comes over and invites [him] to sit with them." The casual nature of this invitation, and the speaker's nonchalant response, "I say okay," sets the tone for the poem. It reflects a relationship that, while no longer romantic, has settled into a kind of amicable detachment. The setting of a graduation—a milestone that often symbolizes both an ending and a new beginning—serves as an appropriate backdrop for the exploration of these themes.

As the ceremony progresses, the speaker notes that "There are a lot of speeches, all saying much the same." This line captures the often monotonous nature of such events, where the rhetoric about "the new generation" and how "the future belongs to them" can feel repetitive and clichéd. The speaker's focus, however, is not on the content of the speeches but on the processional, the "lining up for it, walking onto the stage." This moment of transition, where the graduates move from one phase of life to another, mirrors the speaker's own sense of transition and the quiet acknowledgment of his own place in the ceremony—as a bystander, a parent, but also as someone who has moved on from past attachments.

The poem reaches its emotional core with the appearance of "our Meredith," the daughter of the speaker and his ex-wife. The use of "our" indicates a shared bond and pride, despite the dissolution of their marriage. The speaker’s quiet observation, "The sound of two hands clapping is mine," suggests a moment of solitary recognition and pride. The singular focus on his own applause, rather than a collective celebration, emphasizes his sense of personal closure. It’s a small, almost minimalist gesture that carries significant weight—the acknowledgment of Meredith’s achievement, and perhaps more importantly, the acknowledgment of the speaker’s own journey towards acceptance.

The final lines, "If there's one thing I know / it's when something is over and / done with, and it's time to go," encapsulate the speaker's realization. The repetition of "over" and "done with" reinforces the theme of finality. This is not just about the end of the graduation ceremony, but about the speaker's recognition that certain aspects of his life—his marriage, his role as a husband—are indeed over. The phrase "it's time to go" signals his readiness to move on, not with a sense of loss or regret, but with a quiet, dignified acceptance.

"Graduation" is a poem that deals with endings, but also with the peace that can come from accepting those endings. Simpson's use of a graduation ceremony as a metaphor for personal closure is both apt and poignant. The poem’s simplicity and restraint allow the emotions to surface subtly, making the final acknowledgment of "it's time to go" all the more powerful. It’s a meditation on the passage of time, the evolution of relationships, and the quiet resolutions that life often requires us to make. Through this understated narrative, Simpson captures the essence of moving on—gracefully, thoughtfully, and with a sense of acceptance.

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