Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost’s poem "Her Beauty" poignantly captures the passage of time and its effect on a woman’s perception of her own beauty. Through rich imagery and reflective musings, the poem explores themes of aging, memory, and the complex interplay between external appearance and internal identity.

The poem opens with a stark acknowledgment of change: "By now her beauty no longer catches glances like small / animals in a gentle snare." This simile suggests that her once-captivating beauty, which effortlessly drew attention, has faded. The image of "autumn having thinned the light and frozen its blossoms / in the field" parallels the decline of her physical allure with the natural cycle of seasons, highlighting the inevitability of aging.

As her physical beauty wanes, so does the intensity of her expressions: "Even her looks of imprecation and her frowns seem weak." This line underscores a sense of diminishing power and presence, suggesting that her emotional expressions have lost their former impact. Her response to this change is introspective and tinged with nostalgia: "she says fond, foolish things about herself, about once having been greatly admired, envied, fated—a Psyche to Venus." The reference to Psyche and Venus evokes classical mythology, aligning her past beauty with divine favor and mythical admiration.

The poem then shifts to a more personal reflection: "how she loved her husband who / was faceless / and gave her pleasure." This enigmatic description of her husband as "faceless" might imply a lack of specific identity or a universal figure of companionship and love. Despite the loss of physical beauty, she recalls the pleasure and affection shared with her husband, suggesting that these memories hold enduring significance.

The poem contrasts the present reality with past pretense: "Better than pretending indifference—like the heaping snow." The simile of "heaping snow" evokes a facade of coldness and detachment, which she rejects. Instead, she opts for honesty and self-acceptance, acknowledging her past openly: "better to say what she by another once had known." This admission is both liberating and poignant, revealing a deep-seated truth about her past experiences and emotions.

The final lines of the poem bring a sense of intimacy and quiet reflection: "only so secret and withdrawn the way it is in the / mornings, / in weather, an animal's fur bristling, a moleskin." These images evoke a sense of natural, almost primal comfort and self-containment. The comparison to an animal’s fur and moleskin suggests a return to a more fundamental, intrinsic sense of self, untouched by the judgments of others.

"Her Beauty" by Carol Frost is a meditative exploration of the passage of time and the evolution of self-perception. Through its evocative imagery and introspective tone, the poem invites readers to contemplate the complexities of beauty, memory, and identity. Frost’s nuanced portrayal of a woman coming to terms with her aging beauty offers a profound reflection on the resilience of inner identity amidst the inevitable changes of life.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pure/GTWHVgjS-e4C?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=HER%20BEAUTY#f=false

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