Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"In Extremis" by John Updike is a reflective and somewhat whimsical poem that explores themes of aging, estrangement from one's own body, and the nostalgia for childhood innocence and intimacy. Through the simple act of looking at his toes, Updike delves into deeper emotional and existential reflections, using the toes as a symbol of parts of ourselves that we may neglect or become disconnected from over time.

The poem opens with a surprising admission: "I saw my toes the other day. / I hadn't looked at them for months. / Indeed, they might have passed away." This introduction humorously acknowledges how we can become unaware of our own bodies, suggesting a kind of alienation that develops as we age. The idea that his toes "might have passed away" without his noticing adds a layer of absurdity while also hinting at a more serious contemplation of mortality and bodily decay.

Updike recalls a time when his toes were "my best friends once." This line evokes a childlike wonder and connection to one's body that is often vivid in early life. He describes a youthful closeness with his toes, counting them and even tasting them to explore and understand his world, "When I was small, I knew them well. / I counted on them up to ten / And put them in my mouth to tell / The larger from the lesser." This sensory engagement represents a primal form of learning and discovery, a time when the body itself is a source of fascination and joy.

As the poem progresses, Updike laments the loss of this intimate bond: "But with the swelling of the years / We drifted, toes and I, apart." The phrase "swelling of the years" not only suggests the passage of time but also implies a gradual distancing from one's own physical self, a theme that resonates with anyone who feels disconnected from their younger, perhaps more vital, self.

The climax of the poem is both comic and poignant. The toes, personified and confronting the speaker, say "j'accuse!"—an accusation borrowed from the famous Dreyfus Affair, used here to dramatize the toes’ charge against Updike for his neglect and estrangement. This accusation by his own body parts highlights a feeling of betrayal and self-estrangement that comes with aging and changing.

The final line, "I hid them quickly in my shoes," closes the poem on a note of evasion and perhaps a bit of shame. It suggests a desire to cover up not just his physical toes but also the broader truths they represent about aging, change, and the loss of connection to one's own body. By ending here, Updike leaves the reader reflecting on their own relationships with their bodies and the inevitable transformations that time brings.

"In Extremis" is a clever, touching, and deeply human poem that uses the mundane act of observing one’s toes as a springboard into reflections on aging, self-awareness, and the poignant comedy of human life.

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