Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Wanda in Worryland" by Wanda Coleman is a deeply personal and introspective poem that explores the complexities of the speaker's emotional landscape, marked by fear, anger, and a search for self-assurance. Through a candid recounting of her reactions to various situations, Coleman navigates the terrains of vulnerability, resilience, and the creative process as a means of confrontation and self-preservation.

The poem oscillates between moments of introspection and instances of external aggression, reflecting the speaker's fluctuating responses to the challenges and provocations of the world around her. The act of checking the closet to see if "his clothes are still there" signifies a deep-seated fear of abandonment, revealing the speaker's need for reassurance and the tangible proof of presence and connection.

Coleman's admission of imagining situations and then becoming emotionally entangled in them highlights the blurring lines between reality and perception, suggesting how easily one can be consumed by the narratives we construct in our minds. This tendency to become "upset, angry and cry hot tears" over scenarios of one's own making points to the intense inner turmoil that characterizes the speaker's emotional state.

The repeated phrase "i have gone after people with" introduces a series of increasingly aggressive responses to perceived threats or injustices, from guns and rocks to fists and finally, poems. This progression underscores the speaker's struggle to navigate her anger and frustration, ultimately finding power and agency in the act of writing. Poetry becomes the ultimate tool for confrontation, a non-violent yet potent means of addressing and dispelling the forces that incite fear and anger.

The mention of a suicide attempt, followed by shame for "really faking it," opens a window into the speaker's darkest moments of despair and the performative aspect of her distress. This vulnerability is juxtaposed with instances of conflict in the external world, such as confronting "old white lady cart pushers in supermarkets," illustrating the speaker's impatience and sense of entrapment within societal norms and expectations.

Coleman's exploration of dreams about falling, coupled with the determination to "land on my feet," metaphorically represents the speaker's resilience and refusal to be defeated by her fears. The dream sequences offer a space where the speaker can confront her anxieties, endure the suspense, and ultimately, assert her survival and strength.

The closing lines bring the poem full circle, returning to the theme of self-recognition and existence. The act of looking into the mirror to see if "i'm still here" speaks to a profound sense of disconnection and the ongoing search for self-identity amid the chaos of emotional and external battles. It is a moment of self-acknowledgment and reassurance, a reminder of the speaker's presence and persistence in a world that often provokes fear and self-doubt.

"Wanda in Worryland" is a raw and honest examination of the human psyche, delving into the fears, conflicts, and coping mechanisms that define our experiences. Through her poignant and unfiltered voice, Coleman invites readers to reflect on their own vulnerabilities and the ways in which we confront, resist, and ultimately affirm our existence amidst the uncertainties of life.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Wicked_Enchantment/hKM_EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

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