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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Once-Over" by Paul Blackburn is a poignant exploration of observation, desire, and the unspoken interactions that occur in the public sphere, specifically within the confines of a subway car. Through the detailed description of a tanned blonde woman and the reactions she provokes from her fellow passengers, Blackburn delves into themes of voyeurism, objectification, and the human tendency to silently judge and be judged. The setting is a subway car, a microcosm of urban life where diverse individuals are thrust into close proximity, yet often remain isolated within their own thoughts and judgments. The woman in question, described vividly in terms of her physical appearance and choice of attire, becomes the focal point of attention, standing despite the availability of seats, which suggests a certain defiance or confidence. Blackburn meticulously lists the observers, including "1 teen-age hood, 1 lesbian, 1 envious housewife, 4 men over fifty (& myself)," indicating a cross-section of society united in their scrutiny of the woman. This enumeration not only highlights the variety of perspectives through which she is viewed but also implicates the poet himself as a participant in this silent evaluation. The detailed notations made by the onlookers—"long legs, long waist, high breasts (no bra), long neck, the model slump the handbag drape and how the skirt cuts in under a very handsome set of cheeks"—reflect a deconstruction of the woman's appearance into component parts, a common aspect of objectification. The reference to "stirring dull roots with spring rain," a quote from T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," serves to elevate the moment, suggesting that the woman's presence invokes a sense of awakening or revitalization among the passengers, despite the mundane setting. The only individual seemingly unaffected by her presence is a "stolid young man with a blue business suit and the New York 7," who remains oblivious to the dynamics unfolding around him. This contrast further emphasizes the impact of the woman's presence on the rest of the subway car's occupants. As the journey progresses "to downtown Brooklyn / Over the tunnel and through the bridge," the sense of a shared experience among the passengers deepens. Despite the lack of verbal communication, there exists a communal acknowledgment of the woman's effect on them, creating a temporary bond among strangers. The woman's awareness of her impact is left ambiguous; she "gives no sign," yet Blackburn suggests that "the sign is on her," implying that her self-assurance or perhaps indifference to the attention is evident in her demeanor. "Once-Over" captures a fleeting moment of collective fascination and introspection, revealing the complexities of human interaction and perception within the public space. Through Blackburn's observant eye and evocative language, the poem offers a snapshot of urban life, where every individual carries their own story, desires, and insecurities, intersecting with those of others in unexpected ways.
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