Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Rachel Hadas's "Pass It On, III" offers a rich meditation on the cycles of life, the interplay between death and renewal, and the continuity of memory and tradition. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, the poem explores how the passage of time and the transitions between generations shape our understanding of existence.

The poem begins with a striking image: "Lilacs look neon in fading light. / Death makes life shine." This juxtaposition of the vibrant, almost unnatural glow of lilacs in diminishing daylight with the concept of death enhancing the brilliance of life sets the tone for the exploration of contrasts and cycles. The phrase "a tiredness, a flickering between / ages, which is each age" suggests a continuous oscillation between different stages of life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all ages within the overarching cycle of life.

Hadas continues to delve into the cyclical nature of existence with the metaphor of "a piling up to tottering / and falling back to sand." This image evokes the rise and fall of human endeavors and life itself, ultimately returning to the earth. The phrase "So much for cycle" implies a resignation to this natural order, accepting the inevitability of these patterns.

The practical detail of the "front door lock" that "sticks each fall when we’re first back" introduces a grounding element to the poem. This recurring issue and the advice to "oil it" serve as a metaphor for the need to maintain and nurture the connections and traditions that link past and present. The use of "olive oil in the keyhole" to make "the old key turns" symbolizes the act of preserving and rejuvenating the mechanisms that allow us to access and engage with our history and memories.

The poem then shifts to a scene of walking "along the edge of water," which can be interpreted as navigating the boundary between the past and present, between memory and reality. The stroller and the boychild evoke a sense of generational continuity, with the act of pushing the stroller suggesting the passage of care and tradition from one generation to the next.

The speaker's reflection on summer's end and the fading lilacs—"Goodbye, lilacs. Your / neon is past; you’ll bloom again / next spring"—reinforces the theme of cyclical renewal. Despite the end of one season, there is a promise of rebirth and continuation. This seasonal metaphor mirrors the broader cycles of life and death, loss and renewal.

The poem's contemplation of the feeling that "each season feels like an end of summer" speaks to the perception of time's passage as a series of endings. Yet, the insistence that "the tale’s to tell / over and over for those / lolling and snoozing in the stroller" highlights the importance of storytelling and the transmission of experiences and wisdom to future generations.

Hadas's imagery of the "Tall house standing on its high green hill" with "lawns slant down to a stream" conjures a sense of place and permanence, a physical and symbolic anchor for memories. The mention of children and their potential recollections—"children, do you remember?"—invites reflection on the enduring impact of these shared spaces and experiences.

The final stanza brings the themes of memory and continuity to a poignant close with the image of a "striped tent" and a buffet spread in the sun. This scene of gathering and sustenance underlines the idea of communal memory and tradition. The poem concludes with a powerful metaphor: "Oil, oil in the lock. / The old key turns." This repetition underscores the act of maintaining and renewing the connections to our past, ensuring that the legacy of experiences and memories continues to be accessible and meaningful.

In "Pass It On, III," Rachel Hadas weaves a tapestry of reflections on life, death, and the enduring nature of memory. Through her evocative imagery and thoughtful language, she invites readers to contemplate the cycles that define our existence and the importance of preserving and passing on the stories and traditions that shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. The poem resonates with a sense of both melancholy and hope, acknowledging the inevitability of change while celebrating the continuity of life and memory.

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