Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Book of Days 29" by Martha Collins is a poignant reflection on loss, memory, and the fragmentation of life, conveyed through the delicate imagery of a garden and a wedding. Through subtle yet powerful imagery, Collins explores themes of time's passage, the impermanence of beauty, and the profound depths of human experience that often remain unspoken.

The poem opens with a scene of faded beauty: "The roses are washed out, the iris brown / like thin paper pressed between the folds / of a wedding dress." This imagery of flowers, traditionally symbols of vibrancy and life, now faded and fragile, sets a tone of melancholy and nostalgia. The reference to a wedding dress, an emblem of beginnings and unions, further deepens the sense of loss as it harbors the remnants of a past celebration, now only a memory.

The narrative then shifts to the bride, a figure of central importance whose absence permeates the scene. "The bride / has gone, her child has gone," Collins writes, evoking a sense of departure and the inevitable distancing from moments of joy and togetherness. The mention that "she / knows something we don't know" introduces an element of mystery and the profound, often painful, knowledge that comes with life's experiences. The phrase "the way / the body rends itself, is more / than one" suggests the physical and emotional divisions that characterize human existence, the separations, and losses that define our lives.

The turning off of the fountain and the stillness of the pool add to the atmosphere of quietude and reflection. The imagery of the pool "shifts / like an eye pretending not to shift," and the comparison of the breast to an eye that "cannot see" explores the theme of perception and the limits of understanding. These lines suggest that true insight and the ability to perceive deeply are rare and precious, often obscured by the surfaces of things.

The presence of a sparrow and a bee at the pool introduces a note of life and movement, a reminder of the ongoing cycles of nature amid human sorrow and stillness. Yet, this moment of interaction with nature underscores the poem's contemplation of wholeness and fragmentation: "Nothing's whole." This concluding statement encapsulates the poem's exploration of the complex tapestry of life, where beauty and loss, presence and absence, coexist in a delicate balance.

"Book of Days 29" is a meditation on the ephemeral nature of beauty, the enduring impact of loss, and the intricate ways in which life's moments of joy and sorrow are woven together. Through its evocative imagery and contemplative tone, Collins invites readers to reflect on the fleetingness of life's celebrations, the depths of knowledge borne from experience, and the continuous search for meaning amidst the fragments of existence.

POEM TEXT: https://capa.conncoll.edu/collins.space.htm#DAYS

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...