Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Somewhere in the World" captures the pervasive sense of anxiety and uncertainty that accompanies the awareness of distant events and their potential to impact our lives. The poem explores themes of inevitability, vulnerability, and the human desire for control in the face of uncontrollable forces. Through a series of vivid images and scenarios, Pastan reflects on the ways in which global events—whether natural disasters, diseases, or conflicts—can reach us, despite our efforts to protect ourselves.

The poem begins with a simple, almost ominous statement: "Somewhere in the world / something is happening / which will make its slow way here." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that no matter how far away an event may seem, it has the potential to affect us eventually. The idea of something "making its slow way here" conveys a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker is waiting for an unseen force to arrive, unable to predict exactly when or how it will manifest.

The next stanza delves into the specifics of these potential threats: "A cold front will come to destroy / the camellias, or perhaps it will be / a heat wave to scorch them." Here, the speaker imagines the impact of climate-related events on something as delicate as camellias, a symbol of beauty and fragility. The contrast between the cold front and the heat wave underscores the unpredictability of nature and the impossibility of knowing which disaster will strike. The camellias, representing the things we cherish and wish to protect, are vulnerable to forces beyond our control, whether it be cold or heat.

The poem then shifts to the threat of disease: "A virus will move without passport / or papers to find me as I shake / a hand or kiss a cheek." This image resonates deeply in the context of contemporary global health concerns, highlighting the ease with which diseases can spread across borders, defying human-made boundaries and controls. The act of shaking hands or kissing a cheek, normally gestures of affection and connection, becomes fraught with danger, as the virus "moves without passport"—a reminder of how vulnerable we are in our daily interactions.

Pastan continues by addressing the potential for conflict: "Somewhere a small quarrel / has begun, a few overheated words / ignite a conflagration." This progression from a "small quarrel" to a "conflagration" symbolizes how easily minor disputes can escalate into large-scale conflicts, ultimately leading to war. The "smell of smoke" that is "on its way" signifies the inevitable arrival of these distant conflicts into the speaker's world, bringing with them the devastating consequences of war. The poem suggests that the seeds of destruction are often sown far from us, but their effects are felt globally.

In response to these looming threats, the speaker engages in protective rituals: "Wherever I go I knock on wood— / on tabletops or tree trunks. / I rinse my hands over and over again." These actions, like knocking on wood and excessive handwashing, are symbolic of the human desire to ward off bad luck or misfortune. They represent the speaker's attempt to exert some control over an uncertain world, even if the actions themselves are ultimately futile.

The speaker's vigilance is further emphasized by their behavior: "I scan the newspapers / and invent alarm codes which are not / my husband's birthdate or my own." The act of scanning newspapers for news of impending disasters reflects a preoccupation with staying informed, as if knowledge might provide some measure of protection. Inventing alarm codes that are not linked to personal dates suggests a fear of vulnerability, an effort to keep some aspect of life secure from the threats that seem to be closing in.

The poem concludes with a resigned acknowledgment of the limits of human control: "But somewhere something is happening / against which there is no planning, only / those two aging conspirators, Hope and Luck." This final stanza underscores the inevitability of unforeseen events and the recognition that, despite our best efforts, we cannot plan for everything. "Hope and Luck" are personified as "aging conspirators," suggesting that these forces are not as reliable as we might wish them to be. They are all that remains when planning fails—an acknowledgment of the precariousness of life and the need to rely on forces beyond our control.

"Somewhere in the World" is a contemplative and poignant exploration of the anxieties that come with living in an unpredictable world. Through its vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection, the poem captures the sense of looming danger that permeates modern life, as well as the rituals and hopes we cling to in an effort to protect ourselves from the inevitable. Pastan’s poem serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between vigilance and acceptance, between fear and the fragile comforts of hope and luck.

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