Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Top of the Stove" by David Baker is a reflective and deeply evocative poem that explores themes of memory, loss, and the enduring power of language. Through the intimate and vivid recollection of a childhood moment centered around the family stove, Baker captures the essence of a bygone era and the poignant connections between past and present.

The poem begins with a detailed and tactile description of a griddle tool being used to lift a cast-iron disk on a stove, a task performed by a female figure, presumably the speaker's mother or grandmother. This action, simple yet rich in sensory detail, serves as a portal into the speaker's early memories, a time "before I had language to say so." The imagery of coal chunks "churn[ing] and fizz[ing]" and the presence of a hot flatiron beside a kettle evoke a warm and bustling kitchen, a space filled with the "fragrance / of coffee and coal smoke."

Baker skillfully uses this domestic scene to reflect on the process of memory and the ways in which our understanding of the past evolves over time. The speaker's admission, "What did I know?" underscores the innocence of childhood and the limitations of understanding without the full grasp of language. Yet, it is through the acquisition of language that the speaker is able to revisit and give voice to these formative experiences.

The transition from the vivid memories of the kitchen to the realization that "Now they've gone" captures the inevitable passage of time and the loss of loved ones. Despite their absence, the language and the memories remain, serving as a bridge between the speaker and the past. The voice of the female figure, likened to "a lick of flame / to a bone-cold day," becomes a symbol of warmth and guidance, her cautionary words "Careful" echoing across time.

The closing lines of the poem, with the speaker holding their head close "to see what she means," signify a moment of connection and understanding. It suggests a desire to grasp not only the physical actions and sensations of the past but also the emotional wisdom and care embodied by the female figure. This act of leaning in and listening closely reflects the broader human quest for meaning and continuity in the face of change and loss.

"Top of the Stove" is a beautifully crafted poem that resonates with the universal themes of nostalgia, the complexity of memory, and the search for identity within the tapestry of family history. Through its rich imagery and poignant reflections, David Baker invites readers to contemplate the ways in which our past shapes us, and how language and memory serve as conduits for preserving and understanding our connections to those who have shaped our lives.

POEM TEXT: https://books.google.cg/books?id=2fRsPdUpBdMC&pg=PA7&hl=fr&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

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