Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"That's Going to Mean Something Later On" by Denise Duhamel is a thought-provoking poem that delves into the interconnectedness of experiences, the lasting impact of seemingly minor events, and the broader implications of our actions. The poem navigates through personal memories, cinematic storytelling, and reflections on societal issues, ultimately questioning the nature of karma and consequence.

The poem begins in a cinema where the speaker and a friend, a film school student, are watching a movie. The friend's commentary on the careful economy of film — where every scene, action, and element is significant and interconnected — serves as a metaphor for life, suggesting that all actions and moments carry potential weight and meaning. This idea is juxtaposed with the speaker's belief that every word in fiction and poetry also counts, reinforcing the theme that every element in any form of art or life is laden with significance.

The narrative shifts to a personal anecdote about the speaker's relationship with the friend, a moment tinged with romantic potential that remains unfulfilled. The mention of "track marks" on the friend's arm introduces a darker theme of struggle and addiction, contrasting the speaker's naive romanticization of these marks with the harsh reality of drug abuse. This relationship, which does not evolve into a romantic one, and the friend's subsequent disappearance to Belgium, underscores the poem's theme of unmet expectations and the unforeseen impacts of life's moments.

As the poem progresses, the speaker recalls witnessing a mother hitting her son, an act of violence that the speaker predicts will have repercussions in the future. This scene symbolizes the cycle of violence and the transmission of trauma, suggesting that personal behaviors and interactions can have lasting effects that ripple outward.

The concept of karma is explored through the speaker's musings on how actions return to us, not always directly or predictably, but as part of a larger, chaotic system of cause and effect. This reflection is framed within the metaphor of life as a film being watched by an audience, where the consequences of our actions might be misunderstood or unseen by us but are evident to an external observer.

Duhamel extends this cinematic metaphor to encompass global issues such as wars, environmental crises, and economic problems, suggesting that these too are part of the interconnected web of human actions and consequences. The poem closes on a somewhat ambiguous note, with the speaker hoping that humanity is as "precious as celluloid," implying a desire for our lives and actions to be seen, understood, and ultimately meaningful in the grand narrative of human history.

Overall, "That's Going to Mean Something Later On" is a richly layered poem that weaves personal narrative with philosophical inquiry. Denise Duhamel challenges readers to consider the significance of their actions and the interconnected nature of human experiences, suggesting that everything we do contributes to the story of our lives and the lives of others, much like the scenes of a meticulously crafted film.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...