Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jane Kenyon’s poem “At a Motel Near O’Hare Airport” captures a moment of quiet observation and contemplation, transforming a mundane setting into a space of poetic reflection. Through vivid imagery and a keen eye for detail, Kenyon explores themes of flight, beauty, and the intersection of human and natural worlds.

The poem begins with the speaker seated by a motel window: “I sit by the window all morning / watching the planes make final approaches.” This setting immediately grounds the reader in a specific place and time, evoking a sense of stillness juxtaposed against the constant motion of airplanes landing. The motif of observation suggests a deeper contemplation of the mechanical yet graceful movements of the planes.

Kenyon’s comparison of the planes to horses is striking: “Each of them gathers and steadies itself like a horse clearing a jump.” This simile imbues the planes with a sense of animalistic grace and precision, highlighting the controlled power required for landing. The speaker’s detailed observation—“so close I can see the rivets on their bellies, and under their wings”—emphasizes the intimacy and proximity of these massive machines, bringing the reader closer to the mechanical beauty of the planes.

The speaker’s initial reaction of feeling ashamed—“as if I had looked up a woman's skirt”—introduces a moment of personal reflection, suggesting an unexpected vulnerability in the act of looking. This comparison humanizes the planes and evokes a sense of modesty, as if the speaker is intruding on a private moment.

Kenyon’s descriptions of the planes are both precise and poetic: “How beautiful that one is, slim-bodied and delicate as a fox, poised and intent on stealing a chicken from a farmyard.” This imagery captures the elegance and intent of the plane, likening it to a fox’s stealth and agility. The juxtaposition of this description with the larger plane—“its tail shaped like a whale's”—introduces a sense of diversity in the planes’ forms and functions. The reference to a whale’s tail “sounding” as it dives adds a layer of natural imagery, connecting the mechanical with the organic.

The arrival of the 747 is depicted with awe: “Here comes a 747, slower than the rest, phenomenal, like some huge basketball player / clearing space for himself under the basket.” This comparison highlights the plane’s immense size and power, emphasizing its dominance in the sky and its graceful, if slow, descent. The imagery of the 747 as a basketball player underscores the plane’s ability to command space and attention.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the plane’s shadow: “How wonderful to be that big and to fly through the air, and to make such a big shadow in the parking lot of a motel.” This line captures a childlike wonder at the plane’s size and capabilities, contrasting the mundane setting of a motel parking lot with the extraordinary presence of the plane’s shadow.

In “At a Motel Near O’Hare Airport,” Jane Kenyon masterfully blends detailed observation with poetic reflection, transforming a simple scene into a meditation on beauty, power, and the marvels of flight. Through her evocative language and precise imagery, Kenyon invites readers to see the extraordinary in the everyday, offering a poignant reminder of the intersection between human ingenuity and the natural world. The poem serves as a testament to the beauty found in unexpected places and the power of quiet contemplation.

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