Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

David Wagoner’s "Caterpillar Song" is an evocative meditation on transformation, portraying the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly as both a literal and metaphorical journey. Through lyrical imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem explores themes of change, identity, and rebirth, drawing connections between the natural world and the human experience.

The poem opens in a state of somnolent contentment: "Summer and leaves filled me / With a green drowse." This beginning situates the speaker—a caterpillar—within a lush, vibrant environment, saturated with the vitality of life. The "green drowse" conveys a sense of immersion in the abundance of summer, suggesting that the caterpillar’s life is presently one of relative simplicity and fulfillment. Yet, this moment of ease is fleeting, as the speaker acknowledges a need to "turn / Leaflike." This phrase introduces the impending transformation, likening the caterpillar’s process to the cyclical changes in nature.

The act of spinning a cocoon is depicted with tactile and deliberate imagery: "The fine thread / Comes from my lower lip / And fastens to a leaf." Wagoner’s use of first-person narration invites readers into the intimate perspective of the caterpillar, emphasizing the physicality and intentionality of the process. The cocoon becomes a "closing," a "slow shuttling" that reflects both the mechanical act of weaving and the symbolic act of retreating inward. The repetition of "there and there" underscores the meticulous care involved, highlighting the transformative labor as an act of self-preservation and preparation.

As the caterpillar enters the cocoon, the poem shifts toward a dreamlike exploration of change. The speaker describes "dream[ing] / All my hearts withering," an acknowledgment of the dissolution necessary for renewal. The term "hearts" is intriguing, suggesting not only the physical organs of the caterpillar but also its metaphorical essence—its passions, identity, and vitality. This "withering" is paired with "changing to a half-remembered / One in the air who quivers," an anticipation of the butterfly’s emergence. The "half-remembered" quality evokes a sense of continuity between past and future selves, even as the caterpillar undergoes profound transformation.

Wagoner’s depiction of metamorphosis is rich with sensory detail and temporal awareness. The speaker recounts spinning "night after night," a rhythmic, almost ritualistic process that reflects the patience and persistence required for change. Within the cocoon, there is a growing awareness of the butterfly-to-be: "It grows huge eyes / For me, and we wait / Behind them." The duality here—the "me" and the "it"—captures the paradox of transformation. The caterpillar is both the agent and the subject of change, simultaneously shaping and being shaped by the process.

The climactic moment of emergence is rendered with a sense of awe and inevitability: "The wet shut wings come slowly / Out, they open, the veins / Fill them, they harden / And belong to us." The phrase "belong to us" signifies the unity of the caterpillar and butterfly, emphasizing that the metamorphosis does not erase the former identity but rather incorporates it into the new one. The imagery of wings "filling" and "hardening" conveys the physical reality of transformation while symbolizing the empowerment that comes with embracing change.

The poem concludes with a triumphant assertion of freedom and agency: "We see / The night with all our eyes / At once, we move our wings / Apart among leaves." The repeated use of "we" throughout the poem reinforces the idea of unity between the past and present selves, as well as between the individual and the natural world. The final lines—"Not falling now / But rising and flying"—capture the transcendence of the butterfly’s flight, a metaphor for liberation and self-realization. The emphasis on "not falling" underscores the resilience gained through the transformative process, while "rising and flying" celebrates the fulfillment of potential.

Wagoner’s "Caterpillar Song" is a masterful exploration of metamorphosis, using the life cycle of a caterpillar as a lens to examine broader themes of growth and identity. The poem’s intricate imagery and meditative tone invite readers to reflect on their own processes of change, reminding us that transformation, though arduous and often uncertain, holds the promise of renewal and transcendence. Through its celebration of the natural world’s cycles, the poem affirms the beauty and necessity of evolution, both within and beyond ourselves.

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