Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Galway Kinnell's "The Biting Insects" is a reflective poem that delves into the themes of mortality, acceptance, and the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. The poem uses the metaphor of biting insects to explore different attitudes toward death and the notion of returning to the earth.

The poem opens with a striking assertion: "The biting insects don't like the blood of people who dread dying." This line sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that one's attitude towards death affects even the smallest creatures in nature. The insects, which include mosquitoes and deer flies, symbolize natural elements that interact with humans on a primal level. They prefer "the blood of people who can imagine themselves entering other life-forms," indicating a preference for those who are more in tune with the cyclical nature of life and death.

Kinnell contrasts the natural process of dying in animals with that of humans. In animals, "the desire to die comes when existing wears out existence." This natural inclination to die when life has run its course is presented as a straightforward and untroubled transition. However, for humans, this desire "can come too early, and we kill ourselves, or it may never come, and we have to be dragged away." This line highlights the complexities and struggles humans face with the concept of death, often battling with it prematurely or resisting it stubbornly.

The poem touches on the difficulty of dying well, stating that "not many are able to die well, not even Jesus going back to his father." This reference to Jesus underscores the idea that even those considered spiritually enlightened or divine find the process of dying challenging. Despite these difficulties, the poem acknowledges that "dying gets done," indicating that death is an inevitable part of life that ultimately occurs regardless of one's readiness.

The poem concludes with a poignant image of Eddie Jewell, a seemingly ordinary individual, witnessing an owl—a symbol of wisdom and transition—alighting on a house. This moment signifies the acceptance of the speaker, presumably Kinnell himself, back into "the family of mortals." The image of the owl and the act of being "accepted back" suggest a reconciliation with mortality and a return to the natural cycle of life and death.

"The Biting Insects" is a contemplative meditation on mortality, the acceptance of death, and the natural world's role in this process. Through the metaphor of biting insects and the symbolic presence of the owl, Kinnell explores the varying human responses to death and the ultimate inevitability of returning to the earth. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own attitudes towards death and the natural transitions that are an intrinsic part of life.

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