Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"What Was Seen" by Mary Jo Bang is a reflective and evocative poem that delves into the complexities of memory, longing, and the indelible mark of youthful experiences. Through a series of vivid images and moments, Bang explores the interplay between innocence and the inevitable encounter with the realities of life. The poem navigates through the landscapes of desire, loss, and the transformative power of events that shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.

The poem opens with a rhetorical question, "Who wouldn't have grown into longing?" immediately setting the tone for a meditation on the universal experience of yearning for something beyond the present, spurred by the sights and sensations of summer. The "fretwork of mosquito and fireflies" conjures a scene of ephemeral beauty, juxtaposed with the "false alchemy of ever and elsewhere" — a poignant commentary on the human tendency to idealize and seek what is perpetually out of reach.

The mention of a wall rose clinging to a trellis serves as a metaphor for the natural inclination towards growth and reaching out, even in the face of constraints. This image seamlessly transitions into a personal memory of a kiss from Eddie Marten, infused with the sensory details of "thick soup and cigarettes." This moment captures the innocence and intensity of early romantic encounters, marked by the acute awareness of the other's presence and the bittersweet nature of fleeting connections.

The invocation of "Goodbye Henrietta. Goodbye Camille." introduces themes of farewell and the passage of time, suggesting a departure from the innocence or circumstances associated with those names. The poem then shifts to the "Chalk nights and the dream of heat relieved by dueful thunder," evoking the anticipation and relief of a storm breaking the tension of a sweltering night. The imagery of wind so fierce "it would blow the raindrops sideways" amplifies the sense of tumult and change, mirroring the internal storms of adolescence and the forces that disrupt our worlds.

"Whim and nimble impulse" juxtapose the carefree decisions of youth with the darker undercurrents of life, as illustrated by the "Fat rats in the gully scattered by a shotgun's kangaroo." This line introduces a sudden violence, a stark contrast to the playful and innocent whims mentioned earlier, marking a loss of innocence and the intrusion of harsh realities.

The poem concludes with a reference to "Two murders in the store at the top of the hill in March," a specific yet mysterious event that casts a shadow over the narrative. The unseen knife, imagined by the mind as an "enormous horror, brigand slaughter," symbolizes the unseen and unimaginable horrors that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. The repetition of "The end. The end." serves as a chilling and definitive closure, not only to the poem but to the innocence and naivety of the past.

"What Was Seen" by Mary Jo Bang is a powerful exploration of the transition from innocence to experience, the beauty and pain of longing, and the indelible impact of memories. Through its vivid imagery and poignant reflections, the poem captures the complexity of human emotions and the transformative journey from youth into the awareness of life's darker realities. Bang's work invites readers to reflect on their own moments of longing, loss, and the inevitable encounters that shape our understanding of the world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Apology_for_Want/1W-qSUDbYSYC?q=%22you+wandered%22&gbpv=1&bsq=WHAT%20WAS%20SEEN#f=

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