Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anthony Hecht’s poem "And Can Ye Sing Baluloo When the Bairn Greets?" delves into themes of despair, isolation, and the struggle for spiritual solace. The poem offers a stark and intimate portrayal of a woman's inner turmoil, reflecting on her lifelong battle with an unnamed horror that has haunted her since childhood.

The opening line immediately sets the tone of the poem, revealing the speaker's longstanding awareness of the woman's despair. This acknowledgment frames the subsequent exploration of her psychological and emotional state. The woman's statement, "I was about to be happy when the abyss / Opened its mouth," suggests a moment of near-joy interrupted by a profound and consuming fear. The abyss is described as containing a "Yellowish sperm of horror," a disturbing and visceral image that evokes a sense of corruption and malevolence. This metaphor conveys the persistent and growing nature of her fear, which seems to inhabit her psyche like a parasitic entity.

The woman’s attempts to find solace are depicted through her thoughts of Sister Marie Gerald and religious imagery associated with the Lord of Hosts and the manger. These efforts symbolize her search for comfort and connection to a higher power. However, she admits, "None of it worked," indicating the failure of these spiritual associations to alleviate her anguish. The reference to the "whip-lash wind" to which she clings and begs to be blown away signifies her desperate desire for escape, yet even nature's force is powerless to provide relief.

The description of her eyes as "the stale jellies of lust in which Adam sinned" introduces a biblical allusion to original sin. This comparison suggests that her suffering is deeply rooted in the human condition, an inherent flaw that cannot be eradicated. The use of "stale jellies" conveys a sense of decay and corruption, implying that her eyes, once perhaps vibrant and full of life, have been dulled by her prolonged exposure to horror.

The poem's concluding lines reveal the depth of the woman's isolation and the extent of her suffering. She acknowledges that she has been "sickened since God knows when," indicating a lifelong affliction. Her solitary hours spent before the mirror emphasize her self-reflection and the internalization of her despair. The statement, "There is no cure for me in the world of men," underscores her sense of hopelessness and the inadequacy of human intervention to heal her wounds.

Through its stark and evocative language, "And Can Ye Sing Baluloo When the Bairn Greets?" captures the woman's profound sense of despair and her futile attempts to find solace. Hecht's use of religious imagery, vivid metaphors, and allusions to original sin deepen the exploration of her inner torment. The poem portrays a bleak and haunting portrait of a soul in perpetual distress, unable to escape the grip of an ever-present horror.

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