Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson’s poem "The Long Afternoon" is a reflective piece that intertwines images of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The poem evokes a sense of quiet introspection, where the poet uses seemingly ordinary objects and moments to explore deeper themes of recollection and the layering of experiences.

The poem begins with the image of a "babushka," a traditional Russian nesting doll. This object serves as a powerful metaphor for the layers of memory and identity. The babushka unscrews to reveal another doll inside, and another, and so on—each one smaller than the last. This metaphor suggests that memories, like the dolls, are nested within one another, each revealing deeper, more intimate layers of the past as they are uncovered. The act of unscrewing the dolls mirrors the process of delving into one’s memories, where each recollection leads to another, smaller, and perhaps more personal one.

The mention of a "pipe called a hookah with a malachite bowl" adds a layer of exoticism and perhaps a sense of ritual to the scene. The hookah, an object associated with leisurely smoking and conversation, suggests a slower, more contemplative pace of life. The malachite bowl, with its deep green hue, may symbolize the earth or nature, grounding the poem in a physical, tangible world even as it delves into the abstract realm of memory.

The gramophone, which "wheezes, scratches, and speaks," introduces the element of music—a key trigger for memory. The song it plays, "Say It With Music," evokes a bygone era, likely the early 20th century when gramophones were common and music was a central part of social gatherings. The reference to "White flannels and knees intently two-stepping step out on the floor" conjures images of a dance, perhaps at a formal event or a casual summer afternoon, where people dressed in light, summery clothes engage in a lively, yet genteel, social activity. This scene captures a moment frozen in time, a snapshot of joy and movement that contrasts with the stillness of the present.

The poem’s setting shifts slightly with the arrival of a breeze at four o’clock, signaling a subtle change in the atmosphere. The breeze brings with it the sounds of "bamboo trunks creak and talk in the lane," adding to the sensory richness of the scene. The natural elements, like the bamboo, communicate in their own way, as if they too are part of the narrative of memory, whispering stories from the past.

The appearance of the house lizard, which "hops / from the vine to the rail," introduces a more personal and intimate moment. The lizard, a small and seemingly insignificant creature, becomes a messenger from the past, cocking its head at the speaker as if to ask, "Remember?" The lizard’s croak is anthropomorphized, turning it into a voice from memory, a reminder of shared experiences. The speaker’s response, "Dear brother, I do!" reveals a connection to someone else—perhaps a sibling or a close friend—who shared these memories. The lizard, then, serves as a catalyst for this connection, bringing the past into the present with a simple, yet profound, question.

"The Long Afternoon" captures the essence of memory as something layered, complex, and deeply intertwined with the objects and sounds of the past. The poem’s title itself suggests a prolonged, lingering moment of reflection, where the speaker is caught in the act of remembering, surrounded by the quiet remnants of a time gone by. Simpson’s use of everyday objects—a babushka doll, a hookah, a gramophone—imbues them with significance, turning them into symbols of the layers of experience and the connections that endure over time.

The poem invites readers to consider their own memories, the objects that trigger them, and the way in which the past continues to speak to us, even in the most subtle and unexpected ways. Through its rich imagery and gentle, introspective tone, "The Long Afternoon" becomes a meditation on the persistence of memory and the quiet, yet powerful, presence of the past in our lives.

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