Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's "Traveling Light" navigates through memories, loss, and the fleeting nature of existence against the backdrop of a deserted, off-season seaside town. The poem is rich in imagery and introspection, capturing the essence of impermanence and the poignant reflections that arise from it.

The poem begins by setting a scene of desolation and transience: "Every restaurant boarded up in softwood, bars strung with tipsy blinkers, smudgefires against the dusk-like day." This imagery conveys a sense of abandonment and the passage of time, with places once vibrant now rendered lifeless. The metaphor of light "toppling down" and the "song you can see" suggest a surreal, almost magical quality to the landscape, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

The narrator recalls a kite store surrounded by "stunted Christmas trees like pathetic closed umbrellas," symbolizing both the failed attempts at festivity and the lingering traces of past celebrations. The interaction with the man who sells shells, described as "part baobab, part pirate," adds a layer of eccentricity and history, his stories of smuggling and price wars adding a touch of adventure and mystery to the otherwise dreary setting.

A significant part of the poem is dedicated to the narrator's reminiscence of their father, who passed away ten years ago. The father's legacy is encapsulated in "odd wisdoms" about life and the art of "traveling light." This phrase, "traveling light," serves as a metaphor for living without burdens, both physical and emotional, and resonates throughout the poem as a guiding principle.

The narrator reflects on their younger self, a microfilm technician "up to my elbows in developer, acid, fixative," grappling with an uncertain future and limited skills. The father’s imagined words of reassurance, "Don't worry, Al, if the poetry don't go I'll buy you your own beauty shop," highlight the blend of practicality and affection that characterized their relationship.

The poem shifts to a poignant recollection of the father’s final days, with the narrator recalling a visit to his hospital room. The father's confusion, mistaking the hospital for a "car wash," and his nostalgic recounting of a past kindness — being taken care of at a hospital free of charge — underscores his enduring dignity and optimism despite life's hardships.

The narrator’s present reality is marked by a sense of peace and acceptance: "After years of plea-bargaining with a snooty muse, I've landed here, where there's nothing I dread doing." This newfound tranquility is juxtaposed with the ever-changing, unpredictable nature of the sea and sky, symbolizing the balance between stability and flux in life.

The closing lines of the poem return to the themes of memory and loss. The narrator half-expects to encounter remnants of the past, including their father, "rise up beaming anyway upon it, as if he never meant to let it go." This expectation reflects the lingering presence of those we have lost and the way their influence persists.

The final image of the ocean "slamming itself on earth as if to say that's final though it isn't" encapsulates the poem's meditation on impermanence and continuity. The ocean’s relentless motion serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring backdrop against which human experiences unfold.

"Traveling Light" by Alice Fulton is a deeply reflective poem that explores themes of memory, loss, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Fulton invites readers to consider the transient nature of life and the enduring impact of those we have loved and lost. The poem beautifully balances the melancholic with moments of serene acceptance, capturing the essence of traveling light through the complexities of existence.

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