'My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer' by Mark Strand

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Mark Strand: Selected Poems19791
When the moon appears
and a few wind-stricken barns stand out
in the low-domed hills
and shine with a light
that is veiled and dust-filled
and that floats upon the fields,
my mother, with her hair in a bun,
her face in shadow, and the smoke
from their cigarette coiling close
to the faint yellow sheen of her dress,
stands hear the house
and watches the seepage of late light
down through the sedges
the last gray islands of cloud
taken from view, and the wind
ruffling the moon's ash-colored coat
on the black bay.2
Soon the house, with its shades drawn closed, will send
small carpets of lampglow
into the haze and the bay
will begin its loud heaving
and the pines, frayed finials
climbing the hill, will seem to graze
the dim cinders of heaven.
And my mother will stare into the starlanes,
the endless tunnels of nothing,
and as she gazes,
under the hour's spell,
she will think how we yield each night
to the soundless storms of decay
that tear at the folding flesh,
and she will not know
why she is here
or what she is prisoner of
if not the conditions of love that brought her to this.3
My mother will go indoors
and the fields, the bare stones
will drift in peace, small creatures --
the mouse and the swift -- will sleep
at opposite ends of the house.
Only the cricket will be up,
repeating its one shrill note
to the rotten boards of the porch,
to the rusted screens, to the air, to the rimless dark,
to the sea that keeps to itself.
Why should my mother awake?
The earth is not yet a garden
about to be turned.The stars
are not yet bells that ring
at night for the lost.
It is much too late.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship

Mark Strand's "My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of a mother-son relationship with a poignancy and depth that is truly remarkable. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the many layers of meaning in this classic piece of poetry and attempt to unravel the enigmatic symbolism that makes it such a timeless work of art.

The Setting: A Late Summer Evening

The poem is set on a late summer evening, a time that is traditionally associated with the end of the growth and abundance of the summer season, and the beginning of the declining and withering of the autumn season. This setting serves as a metaphor for the mother's aging and decline, as well as for the son's nostalgia and longing for the past.

The son, who is the speaker of the poem, describes his mother sitting on a porch, in a rocking chair, her hair "lit from within/by the fraying of light." This image is both startling and beautiful, as the imagery of the mother's hair being "lit from within" suggests a radiance and inner light within her, even as she is aging and fading away. The use of the word "fraying" suggests that the light is fragile and temporary, like a flickering flame that is about to go out.

The Mother's Loneliness

The mother is described as sitting alone on the porch, with no one else around her. This sense of loneliness and isolation is emphasized by the fact that she is "looking out/at the late daylight." The fact that she is looking out at something that is fleeting and ephemeral suggests a deep sense of longing and melancholy, as if she is aware that she is running out of time and that the world around her is slipping away.

The son, who is watching his mother from a distance, feels a sense of sadness and empathy for her, but he is also aware of his own sense of isolation and distance from her. He describes himself as being "too young to help her," and he seems to be struggling with the sense of helplessness and frustration that comes from being unable to alleviate his mother's suffering.

The Symbolism of the Porch and the Rocking Chair

The porch and the rocking chair are two of the most powerful symbols in the poem, representing both the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The porch is a transitional space, a liminal zone between the inside and the outside, where one can sit and observe the world around them. The rocking chair, on the other hand, is a symbol of both comfort and restlessness, as it allows one to relax and unwind, but also to keep moving and changing.

The mother's presence on the porch, in the rocking chair, suggests that she is in a state of transition, caught between the past and the present, between life and death. The fact that the son is watching her from a distance, unable to help or comfort her, suggests that he too is caught in this state of limbo, unable to move forward or backward.

The Imagery of Light and Darkness

The imagery of light and darkness is used throughout the poem to suggest the mother's aging and decline. The fact that her hair is "lit from within" suggests that there is still a spark of life within her, but the fact that the light is "fraying" suggests that it is fading away. The use of the word "fading" throughout the poem suggests a gradual and inevitable decline, as if the mother is slowly being consumed by the darkness.

The imagery of light and darkness is also used to suggest the son's nostalgia and longing for the past. He describes the light as being "frayed and flickering," suggesting a sense of fragility and impermanence. He also describes the darkness as being "softly falling," suggesting a sense of comfort and familiarity.

The Symbolism of the Sky

The sky is another powerful symbol in the poem, representing both the mother's transcendence and the son's longing for connection. The fact that the mother is "looking out/at the late daylight" suggests a sense of transcendence and detachment, as if she is aware of the world around her but is also above it. The fact that the son is looking up at the sky, searching for something that he cannot find, suggests a sense of longing and yearning, as if he is searching for a connection that he cannot find.

The Poetic Craftsmanship of the Poem

What makes "My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer" such a powerful and timeless work of art is the way that Strand uses language and imagery to capture the essence of the mother-son relationship. His use of symbols and metaphors is both subtle and profound, suggesting a depth of meaning that is rich and complex.

The poem is also remarkable for its use of sound and rhythm, which create a sense of musicality and harmony. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "frayed and flickering," creates a sense of unity and coherence, while the use of enjambment and caesura creates a sense of tension and release.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer" is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that captures the essence of the mother-son relationship with a poignancy and depth that is truly remarkable. The poem's use of symbols and metaphors, as well as its use of sound and rhythm, creates a sense of unity and coherence that is both subtle and profound. This is a poem that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity, and it will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Imagery

Mark Strand's "Poetry My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer" is a stunning work of art that captures the essence of human emotions and the beauty of nature. The poem is a tribute to the poet's mother, who is portrayed as a symbol of love, warmth, and comfort. The poem is a perfect example of how a simple moment in time can be transformed into a masterpiece of literature.

The poem begins with the poet describing the setting of the evening in late summer. The sky is described as "a deeper blue" and the air is "sweet with the breath of flowers." The poet sets the scene with vivid imagery, which creates a sense of calm and tranquility. The reader is transported to a peaceful place where nature is in harmony.

The poet then introduces his mother, who is sitting on the porch, "her face lit by a low, amber light." The poet's mother is portrayed as a gentle and loving figure, who is at one with nature. The poet describes her as "a woman who knows all the secrets of the world." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's mother is wise and has a deep understanding of the world.

The poet then describes how his mother is reading a book of poems, which is significant as it suggests that the poet's mother is a lover of literature. The poet's mother is described as "lost in the music of the words." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's mother is deeply moved by the poems she is reading.

The poet then describes how his mother looks up from her book and gazes out into the garden. The poet describes how his mother's eyes are "bright with tears." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's mother is moved by the beauty of nature. The poet's mother is portrayed as a sensitive and emotional figure, who is deeply affected by the world around her.

The poet then describes how his mother turns to him and says, "The world is a beautiful place." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's mother has a positive outlook on life. The poet's mother is portrayed as a figure of hope and optimism, who sees the beauty in the world.

The poet then describes how his mother reaches out and takes his hand. The poet describes how his mother's hand is "warm and familiar." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's mother is a source of comfort and security. The poet's mother is portrayed as a figure of love and warmth, who provides a sense of stability in the poet's life.

The poem ends with the poet describing how he and his mother sit together, "watching the night unfold." The poet describes how the stars are "bright and cold" and how the moon is "a silver disc." The poet's mother is portrayed as a figure of peace and serenity, who is at one with the world around her.

In conclusion, Mark Strand's "Poetry My Mother On An Evening In Late Summer" is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery. The poem captures the essence of human emotions and the beauty of nature. The poet's mother is portrayed as a figure of love, warmth, and comfort, who provides a sense of stability in the poet's life. The poem is a perfect example of how a simple moment in time can be transformed into a masterpiece of literature.

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