Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Mark Jarman's poem "My Parents Have Come Home Laughing" captures a vivid and tender moment of familial intimacy and shared joy. Through a mix of humor, cultural references, and poignant observations, Jarman explores themes of celebration, memory, and the deep, comforting bonds that sustain us.

The poem opens with the parents returning home late at night, laughing from a Robert Burns feast. This introduction immediately sets a light-hearted, convivial tone, suggesting an evening filled with camaraderie and merriment: "My parents have come home laughing / From the feast for Robert Burns, late, on foot." The act of leaning against graveyard walls and bending double in the frost hints at both their joy and the physical effects of their celebration, emphasizing their humanity and relatability.

The reference to Burns, the famous Scottish poet, is central to the poem. Burns is "suspended in a drop" and "flicked away" as they wipe their eyes, a metaphor for how his presence permeated the evening but is ultimately a backdrop to the personal experience of the parents. This reflects how cultural events often serve as a canvas for our personal interactions and memories.

Jarman humorously details the night's events, emphasizing the informal and somewhat chaotic nature of the celebration. The "squeaking bagpipe," the collapsing haggis, the embarrassing poem by Scott, and the principal speaker's misguided lecture on "Burns' View of Crop Rotation" all contribute to a scene of delightful absurdity. The speaker's attempt to recover by reciting "Nine Inch Will Please a Lady" to an increasingly uncomfortable audience adds to the comedic effect, underscoring the sometimes incongruous nature of public celebrations.

The parents' return home is described with intimate detail: "They drop their coats in the hall, / Mother first to the toilet, then Father." This sequence of mundane actions highlights their physical reality and the routines that anchor their lives. The moment of giggling at the phone, debating whether to call the States, captures a shared decision-making process and the consideration of familial connections across distances.

As their laughter subsides into a sigh, the poem shifts to a more reflective and emotional tone: "the strength to keep laughing breaks / In a sigh." This transition from laughter to a deeper, more profound expression of emotion reveals the layers of their experience. The tiredness and vulnerability of the parents are palpable, suggesting a release of both physical and emotional tension.

The poem concludes with a deeply moving scene: "I hear, as their tired ribs / Press together, their bedroom door not close / And hear also a weeping from both of them / That seems not to be pain, and it comforts me." This weeping, which is not from pain but perhaps from a mix of exhaustion, relief, and shared intimacy, provides a poignant counterpoint to the earlier laughter. It suggests a depth of feeling and a connection that transcends the evening's festivities.

In "My Parents Have Come Home Laughing," Mark Jarman masterfully blends humor and tenderness to create a rich, multifaceted portrait of a moment in time. Through his detailed and evocative language, he captures the essence of familial love and the comfort found in shared experiences, both joyous and reflective. The poem invites readers to consider the complexity of our emotional lives and the ways in which laughter and tears can coexist, offering solace and connection.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...