Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner's poem "Without Regret" weaves together imagery of winter, weaving, and reflections on past betrayals to create a haunting meditation on endurance, survival, and silent defiance. The poem opens with a scene of women weaving baskets by the light of various burning objects, suggesting a slow, deliberate process. The act of weaving from "the long gold strands / of wheat" parallels the work of spinning silk, evoking both a connection to nature and a laborious, transformative effort.

The fields lie fallow, an image of dormancy and potential, awaiting the return of warmth and growth. This expectation of renewal contrasts with the women’s current reality, marked by the "swollen with frost" and "expectant winter." The mud clinging to their gowns symbolizes the persistence of their labor despite adverse conditions, and their shadowy presence among the trees highlights their marginalized, almost ghostly existence.

In a powerful shift, the poem evokes the specter of "murdered men" rising in their armor, speaking of betrayal and broken promises. The iron masks and clanging armor suggest a history of violence and oppression, likely orchestrated by the "lord who sold us to the glory fields." This betrayal resonates with a sense of anger and disillusionment.

The women’s response to this betrayal is subtle yet profound. By weaving lilies into their baskets and enigmatically saying "mary, mary" when questioned, they invoke both the Virgin Mary and the nursery rhyme, blending religious iconography with childhood innocence. This dual reference could symbolize purity and renewal juxtaposed with the darker undertones of betrayal and resilience.

The setting of the barn, always in dusk, adds to the atmosphere of quiet rebellion and refuge. The sweet smell of the cows and the baskets lined on the sill introduce a sense of rural simplicity and domesticity, yet with an underlying tension as the snow begins to fall "dismembered / lace, the white dust of angels, angels." The repetition of "angels" underscores a haunting presence and the inevitability of nature's cycles.

As the snow thickens, obscuring the windows, the poem returns to the soundscape of keys jingling at the women's waists and the whispering of silk. These sounds suggest both the passage of time and the secrets they carry. The high windows with swirling snow reflect their isolation and the chilling effect of the lord's absence.

The final stanza reaffirms their resolve. Despite the lord's absence, they remain undeterred, allowing him to "keep / till spring thaw comes." The image of baskets—each representing a part of the human body ("Head, hand, and heart")—captures their resilience and the weight of their memories. The transformation of these parts into "baskets of wicker, baskets of straw" signifies their ability to create and endure, turning what was once fragile into something useful and enduring.

"Without Regret" eloquently captures the tension between oppression and quiet defiance, using rich, layered imagery to convey the women's resilience and silent strength. Wilner's use of seasonal metaphors and domestic scenes adds depth to their story, highlighting the cyclical nature of suffering and renewal, and the power of endurance amidst adversity.

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