Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost's poem "Past" meditates on the enduring presence of history and memory within the natural world. Through vivid imagery and contemplative reflections, the poem explores how the past remains intertwined with the present, influencing our perception of time and existence.

The poem opens with a question that sets the tone for the exploration: "Was it in stepping into dusk? Did a glance release this / turbulence." These lines suggest that a simple action or moment, such as stepping into dusk or a fleeting glance, can evoke deep, turbulent memories. The setting of dusk symbolizes a transitional time, a metaphorical space where past and present converge.

The imagery of "Martin's fields thicken with thorn apple and a / migratory bird makes a sound" introduces the natural elements that serve as conduits for memory. The thorn apple, with its connotations of both beauty and danger, and the migratory bird, representing transient moments, create a vivid backdrop for the unfolding reflection. The natural world, with its cyclical patterns, becomes a mirror for the cycles of memory and time.

The poem acknowledges the inevitability of change and the passage of time: "Not even the quick flowering of April winds alters it." Despite the renewal and change symbolized by April winds and blossoming flowers, the essence of the past remains unaltered. The mention of "a man in a straw hat / bending down / above the scythe's reach found, only now so saturated / with rust and greatly indrawn" evokes a sense of history and labor. The rust on the scythe signifies the passage of time and the wear of use, yet the memory of the man's actions persists.

The poem then shifts to the resilience of memory and the persistence of the past: "Yet the blade seems to will itself to hold an edge, / expressing the kind of time / which plays around the roots of the grasses." The blade, despite being old and rusty, retains its sharpness, symbolizing the enduring sharpness of memory. This resilience is paralleled by the time that "plays around the roots of the grasses," indicating that the foundations of our experiences and memories continue to influence the present.

The closing lines of the poem emphasize the inescapable nature of the past: "and still / knows, still passes, / still causes shadows / to seem to fit themselves around the ankles, refusing / separation." These lines encapsulate the central theme of the poem—that the past is an ever-present force, shaping and shadowing our lives. The shadows fitting around the ankles suggest an intimate, almost inextricable connection between the individual and their history. The refusal of separation underscores the idea that the past cannot be entirely detached from the present; it remains a persistent, shaping force.

"Past" by Carol Frost is a reflective exploration of how history and memory permeate our lives. Through its evocative imagery and contemplative tone, the poem invites readers to consider the ways in which the past continues to influence the present. Frost’s nuanced portrayal of the natural world as a keeper of memory and the enduring impact of past experiences offers a profound meditation on the nature of time and existence.

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

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