Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Schuyler's poem "Tears, Oily Tears..." captures the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions, particularly the act of crying. The poem is a raw and unfiltered exploration of the various triggers that lead the speaker to tears, presenting them in a way that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The poem begins with a candid admission: "Crying is a habit with me." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, revealing the speaker's vulnerability and openness about their emotions. The use of the word "habit" suggests that crying is a frequent, almost automatic response for the speaker, something ingrained in their daily experience. The phrase "You mustn’t mind" directs the reader to accept this emotional outpouring without judgment, as if the speaker anticipates a need for reassurance or validation.

Schuyler then lists various reasons that provoke tears, starting with the mundane—"onions make me / smog"—and moving on to more profound sources of emotional distress, such as "headlines in the Daily News," "not getting enough sleep," and "going to the movies and not going." The mixture of trivial and significant reasons emphasizes the unpredictability and uncontrollability of the speaker's tears. Whether triggered by something as commonplace as cutting onions or as overwhelming as the news, the tears seem to flow from the same deep well of emotion.

The poem also touches on the anxiety and fear that the speaker experiences, such as the "Fear of getting bawled out by people shorter than me" and the unsettling imagery of "deserted buses late at night." These lines hint at a sense of vulnerability and powerlessness, where even seemingly small confrontations or lonely moments can evoke a strong emotional response. The mention of "teargas, hunger, frustration" brings in a social and political dimension, suggesting that the speaker's tears are also a reaction to the larger injustices and struggles in the world.

The poem's structure, with its short, clipped lines and frequent enjambment, mirrors the disjointed and sporadic nature of crying. The tears seem to "slid[e] out of me like oil / out of an over-oiled electric fan," an image that conveys both the relentlessness and the messiness of the speaker's emotions. The comparison of tears to oil suggests a certain heaviness or viscosity, implying that these tears are not easily shed or wiped away—they are sticky, lingering, and pervasive.

Schuyler also touches on the idea of tears being a response to beauty, noting that "superfluous lines of verse and great beauty / move me to tears." This acknowledgment of beauty as a trigger for tears adds a layer of complexity to the poem, suggesting that the speaker's emotions are not solely rooted in pain or sadness but are also deeply intertwined with their capacity for appreciation and wonder.

The poem ends on the same note of unfiltered honesty with which it began. The speaker's tears are presented as a natural, if sometimes overwhelming, part of their existence. The imagery of tears sliding out "like oil" underscores the idea that these emotions are not easily controlled or contained—they seep out, often at unexpected times, and leave a lasting residue.

"Tears, Oily Tears..." is a poignant exploration of the multifaceted nature of crying. Schuyler's use of imagery and the directness of the speaker's voice create a powerful portrait of a person who is deeply in touch with their emotions, for better or worse. The poem invites the reader to reflect on their own experiences with tears and to consider the many reasons—both big and small—that might lead someone to cry. In doing so, Schuyler offers a reminder of the shared humanity that lies in our emotional responses, no matter how varied or personal they may be.

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