Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Tess Gallagher’s poem "Words Written Near a Candle" is a reflective meditation on forgiveness, the interplay of hardship and perception, and the complex emotions surrounding departure. The poem weaves together themes of personal responsibility, the weight of societal burdens, and the nuanced understanding of closeness and distance.

The poem opens with a conditional statement: "If I could begin anything / I’d say stop asking forgiveness." This direct address suggests a moment of introspection, where the speaker advises against the habitual seeking of forgiveness, particularly from those whose forgiveness is linked to an inherent fault or condition within the seeker. This opening sets a tone of self-awareness and a challenge to conventional notions of guilt and absolution.

Gallagher’s imagery of "Nettles could be feathers / the moment they brush your / ankle" juxtaposes pain with gentleness, illustrating how perception can alter our experience of reality. This line suggests a transformative potential in how we perceive and interpret the world around us. The poem then shifts to broader catastrophes—floods, earthquakes, slaveries—waiting on the periphery ("hunchbacked near the fence / to catch your glance"), highlighting the omnipresence of suffering and the human tendency to turn away from or acknowledge it only fleetingly.

The speaker reflects on the shared experiences among “hired boats,” using this metaphor to discuss how people navigate their lives. The boats symbolize the vessels of existence that carry individuals through their journeys. The line "we carried our bodies well, cracked / jokes, left the gaps / in our lives and not / the page" conveys a sense of resilience and camaraderie. This imagery underscores the idea that people often manage their burdens with humor and leave unresolved spaces in their lives, rather than documenting every detail or seeking resolution in every aspect.

The revelation "This far to learn / the boat does not touch the water!" suggests a profound realization about the nature of existence and effort. It implies that despite the appearance of movement and effort, there may be an essential disconnect from the reality we perceive, challenging the notion of direct impact or connection.

The poem’s closing lines address the concept of goodbye with a paradoxical acceptance and contentment: "if this is goodbye, / it is a light nowhere near believing / and I am happy." This acknowledgment of departure as something not fully real or believable reflects a complex understanding of endings and transitions. The speaker finds peace in making "a distance

of a nearness," suggesting that emotional or physical distance can sometimes create a clearer understanding of relationships and connections. The concluding lines, "to say, ‘Boat, I have left you / behind. Boat, / I am with you,’" encapsulate this paradox, affirming that even in separation, there remains an intrinsic link to what has been left behind.

In "Words Written Near a Candle," Tess Gallagher masterfully navigates the intricate landscape of human emotions and experiences. The poem’s contemplative tone and rich imagery invite readers to reflect on their own perceptions, the nature of forgiveness, and the ways in which we navigate the complexities of our lives. Gallagher’s exploration of distance and nearness, both literal and metaphorical, resonates deeply, offering a poignant meditation on the enduring connections that define our existence.

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