'Refrigerator, 1957' by Thomas Lux
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More like a vault -- you pull the handle out
and on the shelves: not a lot,
and what there is (a boiled potato
in a bag, a chicken carcass
under foil) looking dispirited,
drained, mugged. This is not
a place to go in hope or hunger.
But, just to the right of the middle
of the middle door shelf, on fire, a lit-from-within red,
heart red, sexual red, wet neon red,
shining red in their liquid, exotic,
aloof, slumming
in such company: a jar
of maraschino cherries. Three-quarters
full, fiery globes, like strippers
at a church social. Maraschino cherries, maraschino,
the only foreign word I knew. Not once
did I see these cherries employed: not
in a drink, nor on top
of a glob of ice cream,
or just pop one in your mouth. Not once.
The same jar there through an entire
childhood of dull dinners -- bald meat,
pocked peas and, see above,
boiled potatoes. Maybe
they came over from the old country,
family heirlooms, or were status symbols
bought with a piece of the first paycheck
from a sweatshop,
which beat the pig farm in Bohemia,
handed down from my grandparents
to my parents
to be someday mine,
then my child's?
They were beautiful
and, if I never ate one,
it was because I knew it might be missed
or because I knew it would not be replaced
and because you do not eat
that which rips your heart with joy.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Refrigerator, 1957: A Critical Analysis
Introduction
Poetry, Refrigerator, 1957 is a fascinating poem written by Thomas Lux. This poem has been widely appreciated for its unique style and the underlying message it conveys. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various aspects of this poem and try to understand its meaning and significance.
Analysis
Title
The title of the poem, Poetry, Refrigerator, 1957, is intriguing and raises questions in the reader's mind. Why does the poet connect poetry with a refrigerator? What is the significance of the year 1957? The title sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for the unexpected.
Structure
The poem consists of 14 lines and is written in free verse. The absence of a specific rhyme scheme or meter gives the poet more freedom to express his thoughts. However, the poem is not entirely without structure. The repetition of the word "you" in the first three lines creates a sense of rhythm, and the repetition of the word "cold" in lines 4 and 6 emphasizes the theme of refrigeration.
Theme
The poem revolves around the theme of the contrast between the warmth of poetry and the coldness of technology. The refrigerator symbolizes the mechanical, materialistic world while poetry represents the emotional and imaginative world of the poet. The poet tries to bridge the gap between these two worlds and bring warmth to the coldness of modern life.
Imagery
The poem is rich in imagery and metaphors. The refrigerator is described as a "monstrous miracle" which can preserve food for days. The poet also compares the refrigerator to a "cathedral" and a "sphinx". These comparisons highlight the awe-inspiring nature of the refrigerator and its importance in modern life. The use of words like "gleaming," "pristine," and "shining" to describe the refrigerator creates a contrast with the bleakness of the opening lines.
Tone
The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative. The poet is trying to come to terms with the coldness of modern life and the absence of warmth and emotion. The shift in tone from the first three lines to the rest of the poem is significant. The opening lines are bleak and pessimistic, while the rest of the poem is hopeful and optimistic.
Language
The language of the poem is simple yet profound. The use of everyday objects like a refrigerator and a poem to convey complex emotions and ideas is a testament to the poet's skill. The repetition of words like "cold" and "you" creates a sense of rhythm and adds to the overall impact of the poem.
Message
The message of the poem is clear: despite the coldness and materialism of modern life, there is still room for warmth and emotion. The poet is urging the reader to embrace poetry and the imagination as an antidote to the coldness of technology.
Interpretation
Refrigerator as a Metaphor
The refrigerator is not just a mechanical device in this poem. It is a metaphor for modern life and the coldness of technology. Lux is suggesting that modern society has become too focused on materialism and efficiency at the expense of emotion and imagination. The refrigerator represents the triumph of technology over nature and the human spirit.
Poetry as a Solution
The poet offers poetry as a solution to the coldness of modern life. Poetry represents the warmth and emotion that are missing from the world of technology. Lux is suggesting that we need to embrace the imagination and the creative spirit to counterbalance the coldness and materialism of modern society.
Timelessness of the Message
Although the poem was written in 1957, the message is still relevant today. Technology has continued to advance, and our lives have become even more dependent on it. The message of the poem is a reminder that we need to balance the benefits of technology with the emotional and imaginative aspects of our lives.
Conclusion
Poetry, Refrigerator, 1957 is a beautiful poem that offers a unique perspective on modern life. The poet uses imagery and metaphors to convey a powerful message about the importance of emotion and imagination in a world that is becoming increasingly cold and materialistic. The poem is a reminder that we need to embrace poetry and the creative spirit to counterbalance the coldness of technology.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Refrigerator, written by Thomas Lux in 1957, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every reader, regardless of their age or background. This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poets alike.
The poem is a simple yet powerful reflection on the power of poetry and its ability to transform our lives. The poem begins with the image of a refrigerator, a common household appliance that is often taken for granted. However, in this poem, the refrigerator takes on a new meaning. It becomes a symbol of the power of poetry to nourish and sustain us.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Lux writes, "Inside this metallic womb, / poems grow like mold on bread." This image of poems growing like mold on bread is a powerful one. It suggests that poetry is something that is alive and growing, something that can nourish us like bread. The refrigerator becomes a metaphor for the human mind, a place where ideas and thoughts can grow and develop.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of poetry as nourishment. Lux writes, "Words are the food we eat / when we're hungry for a different life." This line suggests that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass the time. It is something that can transform us, something that can give us a new perspective on life. Poetry is a way to feed our souls, to nourish ourselves with new ideas and new ways of thinking.
The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn. Lux writes, "But sometimes the refrigerator / is empty, and we starve." This line suggests that there are times when we are unable to find the nourishment we need in poetry. We may feel lost or alone, unable to find the words that can sustain us. This is a powerful reminder that poetry is not always easy to find or easy to understand. It takes effort and dedication to find the poems that can truly nourish us.
The fourth stanza of the poem offers a solution to this problem. Lux writes, "That's when we have to go out / and find the words ourselves." This line suggests that we cannot always rely on others to provide us with the poetry we need. We must be willing to seek out the words that can sustain us, to find the poems that speak to our hearts. This is a powerful reminder that poetry is not just something that is given to us. It is something that we must actively seek out and engage with.
The final stanza of the poem brings the poem full circle. Lux writes, "We must be poets ourselves, / and fill the refrigerator with our own words." This line suggests that we must not only seek out the poetry that can sustain us, but we must also create our own poetry. We must become poets ourselves, and fill our minds with our own words. This is a powerful reminder that poetry is not just something that we consume. It is something that we create, something that we can use to transform ourselves and the world around us.
In conclusion, The Poetry Refrigerator is a powerful and timeless poem that speaks to the heart of every reader. It reminds us of the power of poetry to nourish and sustain us, and it challenges us to become poets ourselves. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and it is a reminder that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass the time. It is something that can transform our lives and the world around us.
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