Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon’s poem “After the Hurricane” intricately captures the aftermath of a storm, blending observations of nature with reflections on human expectations and emotions. Through her detailed imagery and contemplative tone, Kenyon explores themes of resilience, anticlimax, and the simple beauty found in the natural world.

The poem begins with a serene yet vivid scene: “I walk the fibrous woodland path to the pond. / Acorns break from the oaks, drop through amber autumn air / which does not stir.” This imagery evokes the tranquility and stillness following the storm. The reference to “amber autumn air” highlights the seasonal context and adds a warm, golden hue to the setting.

Kenyon’s focus then shifts to the dog, an active presence: “The dog runs way ahead. / I find him snuffling on the shore among water weeds that detached in the surge.” The dog’s curiosity and exploration of the storm’s aftermath symbolize a return to normalcy and the natural cycle of life. The description of the shoreline, with “a broad, soft band of rufous pine needles; a bar of sand, and shards of mica glinting in the bright but tepid sun,” paints a picture of the delicate beauty left in the wake of the storm.

The speaker’s reflection on the storm’s impact reveals mixed emotions: “Here, really, we had only hard rain. / The cell I bought for the lamp and kettles of water I drew remain unused.” The preparations made in anticipation of the hurricane were ultimately unnecessary, leading to a sense of anticlimax. This is further expressed in the lines: “All day we were restless, drowsy, and afraid, and finally, let down: we didn't get to demonstrate our grit.” The speaker’s admission of feeling “let down” by the storm’s lack of severity underscores the human desire to face and overcome challenges, and the disappointment when those challenges do not materialize.

Kenyon then shifts her attention back to the pond, where nature mirrors itself: “In the full, still pond the likeness / of golden birch leaves and the light they emit shines exact.” This reflection creates a moment of perfect harmony and stillness. However, the dog’s reaction to his own reflection—“When the dog sees himself his hackles rise. I stir away his trouble with a stick”—introduces a brief disturbance, quickly soothed by the speaker.

The poem’s peaceful mood is interrupted by the arrival of a crow: “A crow breaks in upon our satisfaction. / We look up to see it lift heavily / from its nest high in the hemlock, and the bough equivocate in the peculiar light.” The crow’s presence adds a sense of movement and unpredictability to the scene, reminding the speaker of the constant flux in nature.

The concluding lines evoke a philosophical reflection: “It was the author of Walden, wasn't it, who made a sacrament of saying no.” This reference to Henry David Thoreau, known for his transcendentalist views and emphasis on simplicity and self-reliance, ties back to the speaker’s earlier feelings of anticlimax and the broader theme of finding meaning and contentment in the unremarkable.

In “After the Hurricane,” Jane Kenyon skillfully captures the interplay between nature and human emotions in the wake of a storm. Through her evocative language and detailed imagery, she invites readers to reflect on their own responses to anticipated challenges and the simple, often overlooked moments of beauty and peace that follow. The poem serves as a meditation on resilience, the complexities of human expectation, and the profound tranquility found in nature’s quiet aftermath.

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