Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Why Are Your Poems So Dark?" is a reflective and thought-provoking response to the often-asked question about the somber tone of her poetry. Through a series of analogies and rhetorical questions, Pastan defends the presence of darkness in her work, suggesting that darkness is not only natural but essential to the richness and completeness of life.

The poem opens with a simple, yet profound question: "Isn't the moon dark too, / most of the time?" This question immediately reframes the concept of darkness, presenting it not as something negative or unusual, but as an intrinsic part of something as universally admired as the moon. The moon, which is often celebrated for its beauty and light, spends most of its time in darkness. By pointing this out, Pastan subtly argues that darkness, like the moon's phases, is a natural and necessary part of existence.

The poem then shifts to the image of the "white page," which "seem[s] unfinished / without the dark stain / of alphabets." Here, darkness is not only natural but also necessary for creation. The "dark stain of alphabets" represents the act of writing, where the dark ink brings meaning to the blank page. Without this darkness, the page remains incomplete, just as a life or a poem without acknowledgment of its darker aspects would be lacking in depth and substance. This metaphor suggests that darkness is essential for the expression of thoughts and emotions, for the creation of something meaningful.

Pastan then invokes a theological dimension, referencing the biblical creation story: "When God demanded light, / he didn't banish darkness." Instead, God created "ebony and crows / and that small mole / on your left cheekbone." These examples—ebony, crows, and a mole—are all forms of darkness that exist naturally in the world. By including the mole, something personal and specific, Pastan brings the idea of darkness into the realm of the intimate and individual, suggesting that darkness is not just a universal concept but also something personal and unique to each person.

The poem concludes with a shift in tone, addressing the possible underlying question: "Or did you mean to ask / 'Why are you sad so often?'" This line acknowledges that questions about the darkness in poetry are often veiled inquiries into the poet's emotional state. Rather than answering directly, Pastan deflects the question back to nature: "Ask the moon. / Ask what it has witnessed." This closing invites the reader to consider the vastness of the moon's experience, the countless nights it has watched over, filled with both beauty and sorrow. The moon, in its darkness and light, has witnessed all of life’s complexities, suggesting that sadness and darkness are simply parts of the human experience.

"Why Are Your Poems So Dark?" is a powerful reflection on the role of darkness in poetry and life. Through her use of natural imagery and rhetorical questions, Pastan argues that darkness is not something to be avoided or feared but embraced as an essential component of existence. The poem suggests that darkness, whether in the night sky, in the written word, or in our own lives, is necessary for understanding and appreciating the full spectrum of human experience. In this way, Pastan affirms the value of her own work, and of poetry in general, as a means of exploring and giving voice to both the light and dark aspects of life.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...