Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Rachel Hadas's poem "May" delves into the realms of dreams and memory, capturing the fleeting nature of human connection amidst the backdrop of a transient world. The poem uses a hotel lobby as a metaphor for the impermanence and movement that characterizes life, as well as the personal and intimate moments that stand out against this backdrop.

The dream sequence begins with the setting of a "lofty hotel lobby," described as "honeycombed with entrances and exits." This imagery evokes a sense of complexity and multiplicity, suggesting the myriad paths and encounters that occur within this space. The hotel lobby, with its constant flow of people, serves as a microcosm of life itself—full of comings and goings, meetings and partings.

The speaker, feeling weak, seeks solace in the "pale gold alabaster wall," whose coolness offers a momentary reprieve. This physical detail not only grounds the dream in a sensory experience but also symbolizes a need for support and stability in the midst of uncertainty and change. The wall's coolness seeping into the speaker's shoulders signifies a brief moment of comfort and relief.

The sudden appearance of a significant person—"you"—interrupts this moment of stillness. The urgency of their movement, "hurry past me on your way out," introduces a sense of immediacy and finality. The open door and waiting car signify departure and the inevitable separation that follows. The speaker's effort to communicate their love—"I summon all my strength to say / before you vanish just how much I loved you"—highlights the importance of expressing deep emotions, especially when time is limited.

The response from the person, a smile, suggests that the message is received, even if no words are exchanged. This brief acknowledgment provides a moment of connection and closure, however fleeting. The dream then shifts back to the broader scene of the lobby, described as a "hive" with a "steady stream / of transients moving in, out, up, and down." This metaphor reinforces the idea of constant movement and the temporary nature of the interactions that take place within this space.

The final lines return to the speaker's solitary state: "Again alone, / I lean against the coolness of the stone." This repetition of leaning against the alabaster wall brings the poem full circle, emphasizing the speaker's isolation amidst the bustling world. The coolness of the stone, initially a source of comfort, now underscores the speaker's aloneness and the enduring sense of loss.

"May" captures the poignancy of fleeting encounters and the bittersweet nature of memories. Through the use of vivid dream imagery and a deeply personal narrative, Rachel Hadas explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem's setting in a transient space like a hotel lobby highlights the impermanence of life and the preciousness of the moments we share with others, even as they inevitably slip away.

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