Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Closing Time" by Wanda Coleman is a poignant exploration of isolation, economic hardship, and the yearning for connection amidst the struggles of daily life. Through vivid imagery and a deeply personal narrative voice, Coleman paints a portrait of a woman grappling with the realities of her existence, her responsibilities, and her desires. The poem's setting and atmosphere evoke a sense of desolation and longing, while its structure and language reflect the complexity of the speaker's emotions and circumstances.

The poem opens with "a bouquet of promises withers in the grim," immediately setting a tone of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. This imagery, coupled with the specific location "at Trinity & Santa Barbara," grounds the poem in a real and relatable setting, suggesting the universality of the speaker's experiences. The mention of "the last clunker on the blacktop is mine" further emphasizes the speaker's sense of ownership over her struggles, as well as the isolation that comes with them.

The speaker's role as the one "entrusted with the key" symbolizes her responsibilities and the burdens she bears, both literally and metaphorically. This responsibility has brought her "diddly plus one shine for my boots," highlighting the lack of tangible rewards or recognition for her efforts. The description of the cold night and her thoughts "steam[ing] up the plate glass" adds to the atmosphere of loneliness and contemplation.

The series of questions directed at the absent lover underscores the speaker's sense of abandonment and her longing for support and companionship. These questions probe the reasons behind her solitude, the neglect of familial duties, and the constant struggle with financial scarcity. The rhetorical nature of these inquiries reflects the speaker's frustration and the lack of easy answers to her predicaments.

Coleman's depiction of the speaker's physical state, "slim just now" and "my jeans skirt is short and night bites thru the nylon to my bones," conveys a visceral sense of vulnerability and exposure to the elements. The "raw" knuckles and "fists jammed against the linings of my empty denim pockets" illustrate the physical toll of her labor and economic hardship, while the "clutch bag tucked firm at my armpit" signals a protective stance against potential threats.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of defiance and resilience, as the speaker's laughter and hurt "crack the sky above the wet neon announcing / no arrival no return." This finale suggests a moment of release and assertion of the speaker's presence in the face of adversity, rejecting the notion of passive acceptance. The absence of arrival or return speaks to the cyclical nature of her struggles, with no clear resolution or escape in sight.

"Closing Time" is a testament to Coleman's ability to weave together personal narrative and broader social commentary, offering a glimpse into the life of an individual navigating the complexities of love, responsibility, and survival. Through its evocative imagery and emotional depth, the poem invites readers to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of ongoing challenges.

POEM TEXT:  https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bathwater_Wine/rS6cPn9ECAgC?hl=en&gbpv=1

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...