Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "In the Attic," Donald Justice captures the melancholic beauty of childhood memories through evocative imagery and reflective language. The poem delves into the themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the way ordinary moments are transformed into cherished memories.

The poem opens with a vivid scene: "There’s a half hour toward dusk when flies, / Trapped by the summer screens, expire / Musically in the dust of sills." The image of flies expiring "musically" suggests a bittersweet harmony, blending the mundane with a touch of melancholy beauty. The mention of "summer screens" and "dust of sills" evokes a sense of stillness and abandonment, setting the stage for a reflective exploration of memory.

Justice then describes how "ceilings slope toward remembrance," suggesting that the physical space of the attic naturally leads to introspection and nostalgia. The attic, often a repository for old and forgotten items, symbolizes the mind's storage of past experiences and emotions.

The poem continues to emphasize the cyclical nature of time and memory: "The same crimson afternoons expire / Over the same few rooftops repeatedly; / Only being stored up for remembrance, / They somehow escape the ordinary." This repetition of afternoons and rooftops underscores the constancy of certain experiences, yet their transformation into memories imbues them with a special, almost sacred quality. By being "stored up for remembrance," these moments transcend their ordinariness and gain significance.

Justice captures the essence of childhood as a time both ordinary and magical: "Childhood is like that, repeatedly / Lost in the very longueurs it redeems." The "longueurs" (periods of boredom) of childhood are redeemed through the act of remembering, turning mundane moments into something precious. The poem reflects on how childhood, seen from the distance of adulthood, appears small and ordinary, yet holds an undeniable charm and importance.

The poem's tone shifts to a more personal and intimate reflection: "One forgets how small and ordinary / The world looked once by dusklight from above…" This line highlights the contrast between the child's perspective and the adult's retrospective view. The "dusklight" symbolizes a time of transition and contemplation, suggesting that these memories are viewed through a nostalgic lens.

The poem concludes with a powerful image: "But not the moment which redeems / The drowsy arias of flies— / And the chin settles onto palms above / Numbed elbows propped up on rotting sills." Here, Justice captures a specific, almost universal childhood experience of leaning on a windowsill, lost in thought. The "drowsy arias of flies" serve as a backdrop to this moment of introspection, while the "numbed elbows" and "rotting sills" add a tactile and sensory dimension to the memory.

"In the Attic" by Donald Justice masterfully weaves together the physical and emotional aspects of memory. Through rich imagery and a reflective tone, Justice explores how the ordinary moments of childhood are transformed into cherished memories, highlighting the interplay between time, place, and remembrance. The poem invites readers to contemplate their own childhoods and the moments that, though seemingly mundane at the time, have gained significance through the lens of nostalgia.

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