Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Cleopatra Mathis’s "Seasonal Record: 6" is a poignant reflection on the relationship between the speaker, nature, and the elusive ideals of connection and belonging. The poem’s imagery of swans and the interplay of natural light creates a contemplative atmosphere where the speaker navigates themes of longing, imperfection, and the boundaries between human and non-human worlds.

The poem opens with a vivid scene on Mecox Bay, where "the swans take flight out of running, an accidental music made of wingbeating." This description captures both the physicality and grace of the swans, emphasizing their power and natural rhythm. The phrase "accidental music" suggests a beauty that is unintentional yet profound, echoing the way nature often stirs deep emotions without conscious effort. The swans, described as "fat as June," embody the fullness of life and the cycles of renewal tied to the season.

Mathis juxtaposes this vitality with the swans’ maternal instincts, as their "awkward breasts" tip forward in anticipation of "the single role of mother hatching the greenish egg." This image underscores the swans’ connection to the earth and their commitment to life’s continuity. The speaker’s observation of the swans’ enduring partnership—"Opposing male and female, still they would join for a hundred years"—introduces a note of admiration, tinged with yearning. The swans’ fidelity becomes a mirror for the speaker’s own longing for constancy and meaning: "Why should they be true as I long to be?"

The setting deepens the emotional resonance of the poem, as "the afternoon shares sun and moon, both lights equal on the opposite sides of a bay too wide for me to run." The simultaneous presence of sun and moon suggests a rare equilibrium, a fleeting balance that is both comforting and unattainable. The bay, described as "too wide," represents a physical and emotional distance that the speaker cannot traverse, reinforcing a sense of separation from the swans and perhaps from an idealized vision of unity or purpose.

The speaker’s attempt to bridge this gap is marked by an act of imitation: "I flail my arms and whistle, trying for imitation." This effort to connect with the swans is both earnest and futile, as the swans remain "sidelong, evasive." Their indifference highlights the limitations of human efforts to fully integrate with the natural world, which operates on its own terms. Despite this, the speaker persists, "holding out one hand for balance" and offering "bread" as a gesture of goodwill and invitation.

The final lines, "with all my weight throw the white pieces out, calling come to me, swans, eat my bread," capture a moment of vulnerability and hope. The bread, symbolic of sustenance and communion, becomes an offering of connection, even as the swans’ response remains uncertain. The act of "throwing the white pieces" suggests both a surrender and a reaching out, a willingness to engage despite the barriers that exist.

Mathis’s use of imagery and tone in "Seasonal Record: 6" evokes a deep sense of yearning for harmony and understanding within a world that often feels separate and indifferent. The swans, with their grace and enigmatic behavior, serve as both a source of inspiration and a reminder of the speaker’s own limitations. The poem’s exploration of distance, both physical and emotional, invites readers to reflect on the complexities of connection—whether with nature, others, or oneself—and the beauty inherent in striving for it, even when the outcome is uncertain.

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