Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Apollo" by Elizabeth Alexander is a reflective poem that captures a moment in American history – the Apollo moon landing – and intertwines it with themes of race, family, and the wonder of human achievement. The poem is set in a roadside shack in Massachusetts, where the speaker, along with her family, stops to witness astronauts walking on the moon. Alexander uses this historic event as a backdrop to explore broader social dynamics and personal reflections.

Historic Event as a Unifying Moment:

The poem begins with the family pulling off to watch the moon landing, a moment of collective awe and scientific triumph. The act of watching the moon landing, something the family also did for the launch ("three two one blast off"), places them within a larger national and global context, sharing in a moment of human achievement.

Childlike Wonder and Reality:

The speaker's desire for something as ordinary as a "Coke and a hamburger" juxtaposes the extraordinary nature of the moon landing with the mundane aspects of life. This contrast highlights the childlike wonder and simplicity in the midst of a groundbreaking scientific endeavor.

Challenge to Preconceptions:

The moon landing challenges the speaker's preconceived notions of the moon ("not green, not cheese, not a shiny dime floating in a cold blue"). This revelation symbolizes a shift in perspective, mirroring the societal changes and expanding horizons of the era.

Race and Perception:

The poem subtly addresses issues of race and belonging. The fact that the "road shack people don't notice we are a black family not from there" during the moon landing suggests that the magnitude of the event momentarily transcends racial divisions and geographical belonging. The family's usual experience of being conspicuously "other" is temporarily suspended in the shared excitement of the moon landing.

The Strangeness of Space Exploration:

The description of the astronauts talking through static, bouncing in space-boots, and tethered to cords emphasizes the surreal and extraordinary nature of the moon landing. This scene is described as "stranger even than we are," suggesting that the spectacle of space exploration temporarily makes their racial difference seem insignificant in comparison.

In summary, "Apollo" by Elizabeth Alexander is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that captures a moment of wonder, scientific achievement, and social reflection. By setting the personal and the historical side by side, Alexander underscores how significant events can temporarily bridge societal divides and alter perceptions. The poem reflects on the marvels of human achievement while subtly commenting on the social context of the time, illustrating the complexities of race, family, and the pursuit of the unknown.