Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Karen Fleur Adcock’s "In Memoriam: James K. Baxter" is an elegant and deeply personal farewell to one of New Zealand’s most renowned poets. Structured in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, Adcock employs the rigors of rhyme and iambic pentameter to craft an homage that is at once formal and intimate. The poem not only eulogizes Baxter but also reflects on the speaker’s own relationship with him and his influence on New Zealand’s poetic tradition.

The opening lines establish the formal conceit of the poem: it is both a letter and an elegy, addressed directly to Baxter in a conversational yet measured tone. Adcock acknowledges the deliberate use of “rhyming iambics” and anticipates that Baxter, as a craftsman of words, would “approve of it.” By invoking this poetic tradition, Adcock subtly aligns Baxter with the timelessness of figures like Shakespeare, suggesting that his contributions to literature transcend his temporal existence.

The poem’s exploration of poetic models situates Baxter within a global literary context. Adcock mentions Dylan Thomas, T.S. Eliot, Robert Lowell, Pablo Neruda, and John Keats, contrasting their distinct styles with Baxter’s own. This comparative framework underscores Baxter’s singularity while reaffirming his connection to broader poetic currents. Adcock’s assertion that “our ocean’s called Pacific, not Atlantic” underscores Baxter’s rootedness in New Zealand, situating him firmly within a local cultural and geographical identity.

Adcock transitions into the central subject—Baxter’s death—with restraint and poignancy. Her reluctance to confront this loss is palpable in the admission that “I can’t believe the fact.” She likens the distance between them to the geographical divide of hemispheres, metaphorically preserving Baxter in “cold storage” along with memories of New Zealand. This imagery reflects the human tendency to freeze moments in time, to deny the permanence of loss until confronted with its immediacy.

The sepia-toned metaphor of Baxter as a “photograph” encapsulates the speaker’s evolving perception of him over time. This image suggests a blend of clarity and fading, of familiarity and distance—a poignant representation of memory’s dual nature. Adcock captures the essence of Baxter as both a real, dynamic figure in her life and a static, enduring presence in her imagination.

Adcock’s personal connection to Baxter is central to the poem, as she recounts their shared history with warmth and precision. She recalls their first meeting, where Baxter appeared as an almost mythic figure to her “word-struck” seventeen-year-old self. The transition from awe to familiarity reflects the natural evolution of their relationship, as Baxter moved from being “the famous poet in the coffee-queue” to a family friend and correspondent. These anecdotes humanize Baxter, grounding his larger-than-life literary persona in the tangible realities of friendship and shared experiences.

The tone of the poem shifts subtly as Adcock acknowledges Baxter’s death directly. Her description of his “tolerant eyes” registering no more is a stark and poignant acknowledgment of his absence. Yet, she resists sentimentality or grandiose mourning, opting instead for “simple gratitude.” This restrained approach is characteristic of Adcock’s poetry, emphasizing sincerity over excess.

Adcock also reflects on Baxter’s preoccupation with mortality, noting that his poems were “frosted with hints at death.” This observation positions Baxter’s work as prophetic, as though his poetry had long prepared for the inevitability of his own death. By aligning her elegy with his own meditations on mortality, Adcock creates a continuity between Baxter’s voice and her own, honoring his contributions to the “tradition” while adding her voice to it.

The closing couplet encapsulates the poem’s dual purpose: to mourn Baxter’s passing and to celebrate his enduring legacy. By framing her elegy as an act of praise for “all that you gave to the tradition,” Adcock underscores the impact of Baxter’s work on New Zealand poetry and on her personally. This conclusion situates Baxter not only as a beloved friend and mentor but as a figure of lasting significance within the literary canon.

"In Memoriam: James K. Baxter" is a masterful blend of personal reflection and formal artistry. Adcock’s choice of the Shakespearean sonnet form lends the poem a timeless quality, mirroring the enduring nature of Baxter’s legacy. Through her nuanced portrayal of their relationship and her thoughtful meditation on his influence, Adcock creates a moving tribute that honors Baxter’s life, work, and place within the poetic tradition.

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