Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Maxine Kumin’s "Requiem on I-89" is a brief yet evocative meditation on mortality, the cyclical nature of life, and the intersection between human activity and the natural world. The poem’s setting, a roadside littered with the remains of roadkill, provides a stark tableau through which Kumin examines the consequences of humanity’s dominion over the environment. With unflinching imagery and a restrained, elegiac tone, the poem captures the tragic inevitability of death and the ways in which it sustains life in the natural order.

The opening line, "Crow pecks protein from the asphalt smear," introduces the scene with a clinical detachment that underscores the visceral reality of scavenging. The mention of specific animals—woodchuck, muskrat, porcupine—roots the poem in a rural landscape, where wildlife and human infrastructure collide. The use of "asphalt smear" to describe the remains conveys not only the physicality of the death but also its reduction to a mere substance, stripped of individuality or dignity. This dehumanizing effect reflects the indifference of modern life, where animals are often reduced to collateral damage on highways.

Kumin shifts focus to the crows, whose behavior embodies both survival and opportunism. The phrase "strut, bicker over the impromptu feast" anthropomorphizes the birds, suggesting a dark parody of human interactions over resources. The scene is unsettling yet familiar, mirroring the competitive nature of existence in both the animal kingdom and human society. The tire marks "carrying the stain" across the center line symbolize the far-reaching consequences of death, extending beyond its immediate site to leave a lasting impact.

The poem?s midpoint introduces another casualty: a deer, struck by a car and "burst open." This image is both graphic and symbolic, emphasizing the violence inherent in the collision between natural instincts and human innovation. The deer’s attempt to cross the "metal barrier" becomes an act of tragic defiance against the constraints imposed by human infrastructure. Kumin’s use of "unforeseen by Darwin" suggests an evolutionary miscalculation, where animals, unadapted to the hazards of modern life, fall victim to technological progress.

The arrival of the "second cousins"—presumably smaller scavengers like foxes or vultures—extends the metaphor of familial succession, linking the feeding chain to a broader commentary on interconnectedness. While the poem portrays death in stark terms, it also highlights its role in sustaining life, as one creature’s end becomes another’s sustenance. This dynamic is captured in the refrain-like line, "Such sated caws, such croaks of sorrow," which juxtaposes the satisfaction of the living with the lamentation of loss. The repetition reinforces the duality of the scene, where life and death coexist in uneasy harmony.

Through its spare language and vivid imagery, "Requiem on I-89" invites readers to reflect on the fragility of life and the impact of human activity on the natural world. The poem’s structure, with its two distinct yet interconnected vignettes, mirrors the progression of the food chain and the inevitability of decay. By focusing on the aftermath of death rather than its moment, Kumin emphasizes the continuity of existence, where even destruction has a purpose within the larger ecological balance.

At its core, "Requiem on I-89" is a meditation on the paradox of life’s transience and resilience. The poem does not shy away from the brutality of death, but it also recognizes its necessity within the cycle of survival. Kumin’s unflinching portrayal of roadkill and scavengers serves as a reminder of humanity’s responsibility toward the environment and the creatures that share it. In its brevity, the poem captures a vast spectrum of emotions—from sorrow to acceptance—echoing the crows’ calls that punctuate the roadside tableau.

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