Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Pockets" takes a seemingly mundane aspect of everyday life and transforms it into a meditation on human intimacy, secrecy, and the hidden corners of existence. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection, Nemerov explores the dual nature of pockets as both practical containers and metaphorical spaces of privacy and isolation.

The poem begins by positioning pockets in relation to "erogenous zones," suggesting an intrinsic link between these common objects and human intimacy. By stating that pockets "dive / In the direction of those / Dark places," Nemerov not only highlights their physical proximity to sensitive areas but also hints at their symbolic role as repositories for personal, sometimes secretive, items. This connection underscores the idea that pockets are intimate spaces, closely associated with the body and its private needs.

Nemerov then elaborates on the nature of pockets as inherently dark places, "keeping a kind / Of thieves' kitchen for the things / Sequestered from the world." This description evokes the image of pockets as hidden, almost clandestine spaces where items are temporarily stored away from public view. The metaphor of a "thieves' kitchen" suggests a certain mischief or secrecy, emphasizing the idea that pockets hold objects that are momentarily stolen from the light of day and the scrutiny of others.

The poem catalogs the typical contents of pockets: "keys, the handkerchiefs, / The sad and vagrant little coins / That are really only passing through." These items are portrayed as transient, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of what we carry with us. The "sad and vagrant little coins" evoke a sense of melancholy and aimlessness, perhaps reflecting on the transient and often unnoticed aspects of daily life.

Despite their proximity to "lust" and intimacy, Nemerov observes that "No pocket ever sees another." This line introduces a sense of isolation, suggesting that pockets, like people, have their own solitary existences, each carrying its own hidden burdens without interaction or connection with others. This isolation is further underscored by the "certain sadness / To pockets, going their lonesome ways."

Nemerov vividly describes the internal world of pockets, filled with "sifting storms / Of dust, tobacco bits and lint." This image of pockets as small, chaotic universes of detritus highlights the unnoticed and often neglected aspects of daily life. The poem contemplates the fate of a pocket with a hole in it, pondering whether it "Drops out; from shame, is that, or pride?" This rhetorical question invites readers to consider the symbolic meaning of a pocket that can no longer serve its purpose, reflecting on themes of failure and vulnerability.

The final line, "What is a pocket but a hole?" encapsulates the poem's meditative tone. By reducing a pocket to a mere hole, Nemerov strips it of its utility and highlights its fundamental emptiness. This line serves as a philosophical reflection on the nature of existence, suggesting that much of what we consider useful or important may ultimately be defined by its emptiness or capacity to hold and conceal.

"Pockets" by Howard Nemerov transforms a simple, everyday object into a rich metaphor for human experience. Through his exploration of pockets as intimate, isolated spaces filled with transient items, Nemerov invites readers to reflect on the hidden aspects of their own lives. The poem’s blend of vivid imagery, philosophical inquiry, and subtle melancholy provides a profound meditation on the nature of privacy, intimacy, and the unnoticed details that shape our existence.

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