Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Jack Gilbert’s poem "Duende" explores themes of memory, sensuality, and the enduring impact of vivid, visceral experiences. The poem captures a fleeting yet powerful encounter that lingers in the speaker’s memory, not through conventional markers of identity like name or face, but through a striking and unforgettable act.

The poem opens with the speaker’s admission: "I can't remember her name. / It's not as though I've been in bed / with that many women." This candid confession sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the elusive nature of memory and the arbitrary ways in which certain details are retained while others are forgotten. The speaker's acknowledgment that they haven’t had many lovers adds a layer of significance to the memory that follows, suggesting that what remains is particularly noteworthy.

The speaker continues: "The truth is I can't even remember / her face." This further emphasizes the idea that traditional identifiers, such as a person’s face or name, can fade from memory, overshadowed by more intense and sensory impressions. The mention of "how strong / her thighs were, and her beauty" provides a glimpse into the physical and aesthetic aspects of the encounter that have persisted in the speaker's mind, though still somewhat vague and generalized.

The heart of the poem lies in the vivid and specific memory that the speaker cannot forget: "But what I won't forget / is the way she tore open / the barbecued chicken with her hands, / and wiped the grease on her breasts." This image is striking and evocative, capturing a moment of raw, unfiltered sensuality. The act of tearing open the chicken with her hands suggests a primal, uninhibited approach to eating, while the gesture of wiping the grease on her breasts blends elements of the erotic with the everyday. This juxtaposition of the mundane and the sensual creates a powerful and memorable scene that encapsulates the essence of the encounter.

Gilbert's choice of this particular memory highlights the idea that what stays with us are often the unexpected, visceral moments that break through the ordinary. The image of the woman’s action is rich with "duende," a term often associated with a deep, soulful artistic expression that touches on the profound and the primal. The woman's uninhibited behavior embodies this spirit, leaving a lasting impression on the speaker that transcends conventional recollection.

The poem’s structure and language are simple and direct, allowing the power of the imagery to stand out. Gilbert’s use of plainspoken language mirrors the rawness of the memory itself, making the scene feel immediate and real. The lack of embellishment in the description underscores the authenticity and intensity of the remembered moment.

"Duende" by Jack Gilbert is a testament to the power of specific, sensory experiences to leave an indelible mark on our memories. Through the speaker’s recollection of a single, vivid act, the poem explores the complexities of memory, desire, and the unexpected ways in which certain moments resonate deeply within us. Gilbert's ability to capture the essence of a fleeting encounter with such clarity and impact speaks to the enduring nature of human sensuality and the ways in which it can shape our perceptions and memories.

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