Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Donald Justice’s “Memory of a Porch” is a vivid, sensory recollection that captures a moment in time, steeped in the emotions of reminiscence and the subtleties of conversation. The poem beautifully encapsulates the interplay between memory, nature, and the delicate echoes of the past.

Set in Miami in 1942, the poem opens with a straightforward statement: “What I remember / Is how the wind-chime / Commenced to stir.” This initial line establishes the setting and begins to build the atmosphere, invoking a sense of quiet anticipation. The wind-chime’s movement serves as a catalyst, suggesting that something significant is being recalled.

As the speaker listens to someone recount their childhood, the wind-chime's gentle stirring coincides with the memory being shared: “As she spoke of her childhood, / As though the simple / Death of a pet cat, / Buried with flowers.” This memory is tender and poignant, an intimate glimpse into the speaker’s past. The burial of a pet cat with flowers signifies the innocence and depth of childhood emotions.

The poem then transitions into a more atmospheric description: “Had brought to the porch / A rumor of storms / Dying out over / The dark Atlantic.” This metaphorical storm connects the personal memory to a broader, more universal experience of loss and remembrance. The “rumor of storms” suggests a lingering, almost whispered presence of past events, much like the fading echoes of a storm over the ocean.

The speaker's sensory experience deepens: “At least I heard / The thing begin— / A thin, skeletal music.” The wind-chime’s music is described as “thin” and “skeletal,” evoking fragility and the ephemeral nature of both the sound and the memory. This delicate music underscores the subtle yet profound impact of the remembered moment.

The final lines of the poem bring a sense of tranquility and introspection: “And in the deep silence / Below all memory / The sighing of ferns / Half-asleep in their boxes.” The “deep silence” beneath all memory suggests a foundational quietness that supports the recalled experiences. The “sighing of ferns” adds a gentle, almost sleepy atmosphere, as if nature itself is in a state of peaceful contemplation. This imagery evokes a sense of stillness and calm, contrasting with the earlier mention of storms, and further grounding the memory in a serene, natural setting.

“Memory of a Porch” by Donald Justice is a masterful reflection on the nature of memory and the subtle interactions between past and present. Through its vivid imagery and evocative descriptions, the poem captures the essence of a quiet, contemplative moment, where the personal and the natural world intersect in a delicate harmony. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories and the gentle, often unnoticed ways in which they resurface and shape our present.

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