Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Moss’s poem “Going Dutch” intricately explores themes of memory, relationships, and the passage of time through vivid imagery and reflective narrative. The poem is divided into three sections, each capturing different moments and sentiments, seamlessly blending mundane activities with deeper existential musings.

In the first section, the poem sets the scene with everyday items: “Two gloves, a lipstick, and a corduroy / Bag, a saucer filling up with butts.” These objects ground the reader in a familiar, almost domestic environment, while the mention of an upcoming check introduces a shared but divided experience. The phrase “they nourish on their separate cots” underscores the emotional and physical distance between the couple, even as they engage in shared activities like dining out.

Their evening continues with a walk up Fifth Avenue, described with a “rip of blue” turning to darkness, symbolizing the swift passage of time and perhaps the fleeting nature of their joy. The poem then moves into a bar where “The old songs” play, evoking nostalgia and a sense of lost time. Moss poignantly captures the bittersweet nature of sentimentality, noting how “One gin erases it or brings it back,” highlighting the delicate balance between memory and forgetfulness.

The section ends with the couple returning home separately, each engaging in solitary routines—she spraying her hair, he reading an old book. Their physical separation mirrors their emotional disconnect, yet they remain linked through memory and unspoken longing. The dream sequence, with figures floating up and down stairs, encapsulates this sense of being stuck in a cyclical, unresolved pattern.

The second section introduces a more surreal and introspective tone. The woman’s cryptic words, “'Judas' 'Three.' Those words are in my head,” suggest betrayal and an ominous sense of foreboding. The imagery of a sybil reading cigarette ash on a dirty tabletop conjures a scene of makeshift divination, blending the ordinary with the mystical. This fusion of the mundane and the mystical continues as the sybil’s vague prophecies address themes of envy, caution, and the hope of future safety.

The mention of “the reds / And whites of a checkered cloth” and “a piece of old French bread, a glass of wine” grounds the scene in a casual café setting, yet these details also evoke a timeless, almost ritualistic quality. The couple’s conversation and their fixation on money and time reflect the practical concerns that overshadow their deeper existential questions.

In the final section, Moss reflects on the persistence of the past and its impact on the present. The imagery of “distant traffic” and a “small jazz combo at the bottom of the ocean” serves as a metaphor for memories that, while submerged, still exert an influence on consciousness. The juxtaposition of everyday sounds with the profound and unreachable echoes of the past suggests a complex relationship between present realities and past experiences.

The poem concludes with the thunderous sound of the sea, symbolizing the overwhelming and continuous passage of time, and perhaps the inevitable blending of individual experiences into the larger flow of life. Moss masterfully uses ordinary scenes and objects to delve into the intricacies of human relationships, memory, and the inexorable progression of time.

“Going Dutch” is a rich and layered poem that captures the nuances of shared yet divided lives. Through its vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem invites readers to contemplate the transient nature of joy, the weight of memory, and the delicate balance between connection and isolation. Moss’s keen observations and eloquent language make this poem a poignant meditation on the complexities of human existence.

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