Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"In the Hospital, Near the End," also known as "The Lifting," by Sharon Olds, poignantly captures a deeply personal and intimate moment between a daughter and her dying father. The poem explores themes of vulnerability, the fragility of the human body, familial resemblance, and the unexpected tenderness that can emerge in moments of profound vulnerability.

The poem begins with a startling and candid image: the father lifts his nightgown, exposing his frail, deteriorated body. The speaker initially turns away, an instinctive reaction to the shock and discomfort of seeing her father in such a vulnerable state. However, the father's call to her, using her nickname "Shar," compels her to look, indicating a need for connection and communication in his final days. This intimate call emphasizes their close bond and the shared history between them.

As the speaker observes her father, she notes the stark changes in his body. Where once there was a "solid ruddy stomach," there are now "loose soft hairy rippled folds" of skin, indicative of significant weight loss and the ravages of illness. The vivid description of the skin "lying in a pool of folds down at the base of his abdomen" underscores the physical decline and the reality of impending death. The imagery conveys the fragility and vulnerability of the human body, which time and illness have rendered almost unrecognizable.

The poem shifts as the speaker reflects on the similarities between her father's body and her own, as well as that of her daughter. She notices that "his hips are like mine" and "his pelvis is shaped like my daughter's," creating a poignant recognition of the physical connections that bind generations. This observation highlights the continuity of family traits and the shared physical lineage that connects them, even as the father's body fades.

The speaker describes the folds of skin as "something poured, a thick batter," which conveys both the physical reality of the aging body and a sense of tenderness. The father's "rueful smile" and the "cast-up eyes" reveal his awareness of his condition and his willingness to share this moment with his daughter. The father's gesture of lifting his gown, an act of trust and openness, is met with the speaker's "affection and uneasy wonder." This complex mixture of emotions captures the uncomfortable yet loving reality of caring for a parent in their final days.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the profound nature of the moment. The speaker marvels at the unexpectedness of this experience, acknowledging that she would never have imagined being in such a situation, observing her father's naked body with both tenderness and awe. The "tiny snowflakes, white and night-blue, on the cotton of the gown" become a symbolic image, evoking a sense of purity and the ephemeral nature of life. The rising gown, described as "the way we were promised at death it would rise," suggests a moment of revelation and clarity, as if the veils of misunderstanding and discomfort fall away, allowing a deeper understanding and acceptance of the human condition.

"In the Hospital, Near the End" is a powerful exploration of the vulnerability and intimacy that can arise in moments of profound change. Sharon Olds captures the raw reality of witnessing a loved one's physical decline, while also finding beauty and connection in the midst of loss. The poem emphasizes the importance of presence, understanding, and the acceptance of the body's transformations, offering a moving meditation on the cycles of life and the enduring bonds of family. Through her vivid and compassionate portrayal, Olds invites readers to confront their own feelings about mortality, love, and the complexities of familial relationships.

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