Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Weathering Out" by Rita Dove masterfully captures the intimate experiences of a pregnant woman, Beulah, during a significant period of her life, juxtaposing personal moments of transition and expectancy with the backdrop of economic hardship. The poem weaves together themes of anticipation, vulnerability, and resilience, providing a vivid portrayal of internal and external landscapes.

The poem opens with a serene morning scene, with Beulah enjoying her time alone while her husband, Thomas, is out looking for work. The mention of her coffee "flushed with milk" and the "autumn trees blowsy and dripping" paints a picture of calm and richness in simple pleasures, setting a tone of quiet contentment amid life’s uncertainties.

Beulah's physical transformation due to her advanced pregnancy is depicted with both a sense of awe and disorientation. She is described as floating from room to room, her visibility of her own feet obstructed by her swollen belly, a symbol of her new, somewhat unfamiliar identity as she prepares for motherhood. The imagery of navigating corners in wonder and disappearing entirely when leaning against a doorjamb reflects her changing perception of herself and her environment, emphasizing the profound physical and psychological shifts that accompany pregnancy.

The narrative then shifts to a memory of a visit to a new airdock, where Beulah and Thomas witness a zeppelin being carefully maneuvered out of a hangar. The comparison of the zeppelin to a poodle and its cautious handling by the men parallels Beulah’s own feelings of being cumbersome yet delicately balanced. Her self-comparison to a lake, "large and placid," further illustrates her sense of vastness and tranquility, countered by a physical shimmer from cocoa butter—indicative of both care and the effort to maintain comfort during physical expansion.

Thomas’s nightly routine of listening to the baby's movements in Beulah's belly is tenderly described. His hopeful interpretation as "really talking" contrasts with Beulah's more mundane comparison to the sound of a fingernail tapping a lampshade. This disparity in perception highlights their different emotional engagements with the impending parenthood and perhaps their differing methods of coping with the anxiety and hope it entails.

The intimacy of their nighttime interactions, with Thomas sometimes falling asleep next to her belly, underscores the deep emotional bond and shared anticipation between the couple. Yet, there is a palpable sense of need and insufficiency—signified by the coffee being "good but too little" and the external world described as "shivering in tinfoil." These elements suggest a broader context of scarcity and struggle, contrasting the small, personal space of hope and continuity within their home.

The poem concludes with an image of resilience: the clover "between the cobblestones hung stubbornly on, green as an afterthought…". This symbol of life persisting in harsh conditions serves as a metaphor for Beulah's own endurance and the life she is about to bring into the world, despite external adversities.

Overall, "Weathering Out" by Rita Dove offers a profound and nuanced exploration of the emotional landscape of expectancy during challenging times, highlighting the personal strength and subtle joys found within the struggles of daily life.

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