Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's "Mary Studies the Apple Tree" is a contemplative and richly detailed poem that explores themes of nature, memory, and transformation. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Fulton delves into the intricate relationship between the speaker, her mother, and the apple tree, illustrating the passage of time and the enduring connections between past and present.

The poem opens with a striking visual of Mary, described as "Scanty, white as undies," moving through the hedge and adjusting its "decent green geometry." This image captures a sense of delicate vulnerability and a meticulous engagement with the natural world. The hedge, with its precise and orderly structure, contrasts with the organic, almost chaotic vitality of the apple tree.

The sun's interaction with the tree, "licks the juices up and into / her buds she springs petals," highlights the tree's vibrant life force and the cyclical nature of growth and renewal. This transformation is mirrored in the speaker's own reflections, as she now views the tree "limp with years," observing its "rugged curtsy" as a sign of both resilience and age.

The poem shifts to a nostalgic memory, where the speaker recalls her mother, who "tallied six kinds of apples on her." The description of the apples—ranging from "pink meats, gingery / as grass, to green, water-smelling ones"—evokes a sensory richness and a deep connection to the natural world. The mother's careful cataloging of the different types of apples underscores a sense of order and appreciation for the diversity within a single tree.

The speaker's childhood memory of swinging high and touching "a burning apple with my toe" captures a moment of youthful exuberance and discovery. The imagery of "miles of clothesline basting house to yard" further evokes a sense of domesticity and the seamless integration of the natural and human-made environments.

A dramatic shift occurs with the memory of a storm: "When lightning jumped the parlor's dark we heard a long-drawn crash of apples that spiced the ground, snarled / the lines with branch." This event signifies a moment of upheaval and transformation, where the natural world intrudes upon the domestic sphere, causing a temporary disruption. The aftermath leaves the tree "trimmed to stump," yet its roots continue to "pump tough jubilees," symbolizing resilience and the potential for renewal even after significant loss.

The poem concludes with a recent observation, where the speaker notes, "sixteen blooms, all different, I counted recently." This final image underscores the enduring vitality of the tree and the continuity of life and growth despite the passage of time and the changes it has endured. The diversity of the blooms reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of both the tree and the speaker's memories and experiences.

"Mary Studies the Apple Tree" by Alice Fulton is a beautifully crafted meditation on the themes of memory, nature, and resilience. Through its rich and evocative imagery, the poem captures the profound connections between the speaker, her mother, and the apple tree, illustrating the ways in which these connections endure and transform over time. Fulton's reflective and nuanced language invites readers to contemplate their own relationships with the natural world and the enduring impact of their memories.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Palladium/RWjI05rrZ8kC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=MARY%20STUDIES

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