Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Our Afterlife [For Peter Taylor]" by Robert Lowell is a contemplative and introspective poem that reflects on aging, the passage of time, and the complexities of friendship and life experiences. Addressed to Peter Taylor, a close friend and fellow writer, the poem explores themes of mortality, memory, and the transformations that come with advancing age.

The poem opens with a vivid image of two cardinals "in green December outside the window dart and tag and mate— / young as they want to be." The cardinals, symbols of vibrant life and energy, contrast with the speaker's acknowledgment of his own aging: "We're not." This juxtaposition sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the contrast between the enduring vitality of nature and the inevitable aging of humans.

Lowell references his "second fatherhood and stay in England," indicating a significant life change that has made him "a generation older." This line suggests the widening gap between his youthful experiences and his current state, highlighting the passage of time and its impact on self-perception. The phrase "dangerously happy" captures a sense of precarious contentment, as the speaker and Taylor navigate the challenges of aging and the inevitable decline in physical and mental faculties.

The image of "book-bled faces" implies a life spent in intellectual pursuits, perhaps to the detriment of experiencing life more fully. The comparison of their faces to "red birds" that "dart unstably" reflects the instability and unpredictability of their current state, with "ears cocked to catch / the first shy whisper of deafness." This anticipation of hearing loss underscores the theme of physical decline.

The poem then shifts to a reflection on the passing of notable figures—Pound, Wilson, Auden—marking the loss of influential voices and the fading of "promise." The metaphor of the "inheritor" reddening "like a false rose" suggests a sense of disillusionment with the next generation or with the present state of the world. The repeated "nodding" conveys a sense of resignation and the slow, inevitable passage of time.

Lowell reminisces about the "boyish years, 30 to 40," a time characterized by the idealization of love and a sense of timelessness: "when Cupid was still the Christ of love's religion, / time stood on its hands." This period, described as a "sleight of hand," evokes the idea of youthful illusions and the fleeting nature of those years.

The mention of "central heat" symbolizes an attempt to find warmth and comfort amidst the cold realities of life, while the "stifled telephone that rings in my ear doesn't exist" suggests a detachment from present realities, possibly due to hearing loss or a sense of isolation.

The poem reflects on the inexorable advance of time: "After fifty, the clock can't stop, each saving breath / takes something." This line poignantly captures the cumulative toll of aging, where each breath feels like a small loss. The phrase "This is riches: the eminence not to be envied" speaks to the accumulation of experience and wisdom that comes with age, even as it brings a sense of melancholy. The "account / accumulating layer and angle, face and profile" refers to the many aspects of life and identity that build up over time, creating a complex and nuanced self.

The final lines of the poem—"We are things thrown in the air alive in flight... / our rust the color of the chameleon"—use the metaphor of chameleons to suggest adaptability and change. The image of being "thrown in the air alive in flight" captures a sense of ongoing movement and vitality, despite the rust and wear that comes with age. The chameleon's changing colors also reflect the speaker's ability to adapt and find new shades of meaning and existence as life progresses.

In "Our Afterlife [For Peter Taylor]," Robert Lowell offers a nuanced and deeply felt meditation on the passage of time, the losses and gains of aging, and the enduring nature of friendship. The poem's rich imagery and reflective tone invite readers to consider the complexities of life, the inevitability of change, and the ways in which we navigate the journey toward an uncertain future.

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