Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Galvin's poem "Justice" is a contemplative exploration of nature, memory, and the ephemeral nature of life. The poem begins with a vivid description of the natural environment surrounding a house, where "huge elms and oaks / Billow up like green thunderheads." This powerful imagery sets the scene, evoking a sense of grandeur and vitality in the trees, which stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time.

The heat is described as "bring[ing] cicadas to a boil," a metaphor that captures the intensity of the summer atmosphere and the relentless, almost oppressive vitality of the natural world. This observation leads to the poignant line, "You might think no one's died for a while." This juxtaposition suggests a deceptive tranquility, where the lush, vibrant surroundings mask the inevitability of death and loss.

The air remains still until the "tousled willow stirs / From a deeply sexual nap," introducing a sense of sensuality and movement. The willow's awakening and the slight wind that follows create a shift in the poem, emphasizing the subtle and often overlooked changes in the natural world. The wind, personified with whimsical intent, "Flips through a paperback / Left open near the open window." The wind's disinterest in the text but desire to retrieve "tiny flowers / And four-leaf clovers" adds a touch of playfulness and nostalgia.

Galvin then transitions to a deeply personal reflection, revealing the emotional core of the poem. The speaker takes down a notebook "full / Of such flowers and clovers / My mother gathered during her life." This notebook, a collection of ephemeral beauties, symbolizes the mother's effort to preserve fleeting moments of joy and beauty. The act of opening the notebook near the open window for the wind to leaf through is a poignant gesture of release and acceptance.

By allowing the wind to "want what it takes," the speaker acknowledges the transient nature of life and the futility of trying to hold onto what must inevitably pass. The wind, as a force of nature, represents the inexorable movement of time and the natural cycle of loss and renewal. The mother's collection of flowers and clovers, symbols of her attempt to capture and preserve the ephemeral, are offered back to the elements, completing the cycle.

In summary, "Justice" by James Galvin is a reflective and evocative poem that delves into themes of nature, memory, and the passage of time. Through rich imagery and subtle personification, Galvin captures the interplay between the permanence of nature and the fleeting nature of human life. The poem's structure, with its seamless flow from external observation to intimate reflection, mirrors the natural cycles it describes. Ultimately, Galvin suggests a form of justice in the acceptance of life's transience and the beauty found in the ephemeral moments we cherish.

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