Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Prescience," William Matthews recounts a stark childhood memory that encapsulates a moment of unexpected violence and its lingering impact. The poem opens with the image of a possum, described as "bloated and mesmerized by raspberries," emerging into the open. This description evokes a sense of innocence and vulnerability, much like how one might feel disoriented when stepping out of a dark theater into the bright sunlight.

The scene quickly shifts as the speaker recalls hearing "the rifle slash the silence," an abrupt and jarring interruption of the stillness. This auditory memory is vivid and immediate, suggesting that certain traumatic experiences are etched into memory with a clarity that transcends time. The sensory details that follow— "the nitrate and shattered bowels and spangled berries"—paint a graphic picture of the aftermath, merging the natural sweetness of the berries with the violence of the event. The juxtaposition of the "spangled berries" with the "shattered bowels" highlights the sudden collision of beauty and brutality, innocence and harsh reality.

The poem then captures a collective reaction: "and hear, next, a hiss — the exhaust of a possum's life and a tithe, a levy of breath from each who stood there." This "hiss," the final sound of the dying possum, symbolizes the expiration of life and the heavy, shared breath of those witnessing the scene. The phrase "a tithe, a levy of breath" suggests a compulsory contribution, indicating that witnessing such an event exacts an emotional toll on the onlookers, leaving them with a shared burden of responsibility or guilt.

The casual remark, "Got it," uttered by one of the witnesses, underscores a sense of detachment or callousness, contrasting sharply with the gravity of the situation. It reflects a lack of deeper reflection on the part of the onlookers, who perhaps fail to fully grasp the weight of the moment.

The speaker reflects on their age at the time of the event, questioning, "How old was I that stark day? Seven? Eight?" This detail emphasizes the impressionability of youth and the lasting impact of such formative experiences. The speaker then reflects on the long-term effects of the event, stating, "That hiss? I could hear me growing older, rueful, guarded and sullen for dear life." The use of the word "prescience" in the title suggests a foreknowledge or an awareness of future consequences. The speaker's recognition of their own emotional response—growing "rueful, guarded and sullen"—indicates an early understanding of the complexities and darker aspects of life.

This moment of witnessing the possum's death becomes a symbol of lost innocence, a pivotal point where the speaker becomes more aware of mortality and the often harsh realities of the world. The sense of growing older is not merely physical but an emotional and psychological maturation, marked by a newfound wariness and melancholy.

"Prescience" is a poignant exploration of a child's encounter with death and the subsequent emotional maturation that such an experience can provoke. Matthews captures the vividness of memory and the way certain moments can crystallize in one's mind, shaping perceptions and attitudes long into the future. The poem's rich sensory details and reflective tone provide a deep exploration of the human experience, touching on themes of innocence, mortality, and the burden of memory. Through this singular event, Matthews illustrates the complex interplay between experience and emotional growth, offering a nuanced meditation on the inevitability of growing older and the awareness of life's impermanence.

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