Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Green Awnings" by Barbara Guest is a narrative poem that weaves together themes of longing, confinement, and the subtle interplay between two individuals. The poem opens with a serene yet vivid scene: "Leander walked over with a basket of peonies. / He was eating grapes he had picked by the old cottage." This introduction sets a pastoral tone, with Leander engaging in simple, almost idyllic activities that hint at a deeper, underlying purpose.

Leander, who is living on grapes and training his muscles for a solitary climb, embodies a figure of determination and anticipation. His physical training and the blue twinge in his arm suggest a readiness for an impending challenge, possibly the climb to meet the woman he longs for. This notion of preparation for an uncertain but hopeful future runs throughout the poem.

The focus shifts to the woman, who is absorbed in her own form of preparation: "She was sewing a white heron into her gown." This act of sewing a heron, a symbol of grace and patience, into her gown reflects her own state of mind. She receives messages from her father but chooses to ignore them, instead immersing herself in thoughts of the "pale autumn legs of her bird." This bird, delicate and graceful, symbolizes her own yearning for freedom and beauty amidst her confined circumstances.

Guest’s use of imagery is particularly evocative in the lines: "She put water in a vase and wished for flowers. / It was half-past three, but the Latin sun stayed in the room." The simple act of putting water in a vase, coupled with the enduring presence of the sun, underscores her longing for life beyond her immediate surroundings. The sun’s persistent presence serves as a metaphor for her own undiminished hopes and desires.

The woman's sense of imprisonment is poignantly captured: "How piteous to be a prisoner when one was as young as she knew herself to be in her mirror." Despite her youth and vitality, she feels the weight of her confinement deeply. Her nightly rituals of preparing her body and praying to the stars highlight her earnestness and hopefulness, contrasting with her physical and emotional confinement.

Leander’s musings, "Games need companions," and his decision to sit on the grass reflect his recognition of the need for connection. His imaginative play, pretending a tree is the armor of his friend Catylus, underscores his longing for camaraderie and shared experience. The river, urging him to practice his stroke, symbolizes the natural, almost instinctual drive towards freedom and connection.

The poem culminates in a moment of surprise and revelation: "Later floating on his back, looking up at the tower, he saw an arm pulling at an awning strap. What was his surprise when the green canvas loosed, a girl's hair fell after it." This vivid image captures a moment of connection and realization. The girl’s act of loosening the green awning, allowing her hair to cascade down, symbolizes a breaking of barriers and a gesture of openness and vulnerability.

Guest’s "Green Awnings" thus explores the delicate dance of anticipation, longing, and the tentative steps towards connection. The green awning itself becomes a symbol of the barriers that separate and the moments of clarity and openness that bring individuals together. Through rich, evocative imagery and a narrative that intertwines the inner lives of its characters, Guest creates a poignant reflection on the human desire for connection and the small, significant gestures that bridge the distance between isolation and intimacy.

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